absurdity

noun

əb-ˈsər-də-tē How to pronounce absurdity (audio)
Definition of absurditynext
1
as in insanity
a foolish act or idea to say men can't cook as well as women is of course an absurdity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in madness
lack of good sense or judgment the absurdity of expecting a 98-year-old woman to adequately supervise four six-year-olds

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of absurdity And there’s an absurdity to that scene, which Daeron is feeling just in the shock of it in itself. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 July 2026 Mark McCreary, co-chair of the artificial intelligence practice at law firm Fox Rothschild, points out the absurdity of the system itself. — Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026 All of this absurdity is underscored by the fact that James chose the Sixers. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 All sorts of factors—religious fervor, drug trips, the absurdities of aging—an unmoor a person’s mind and spirit. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for absurdity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absurdity
  1. insanity
  2. madness
  3. idiocy
  4. simplicity
  5. craziness
Noun
  • To put my whole psyche, insecurities, anecdotes, family, community, insanity out there in a show in this way.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 July 2026
  • Colt did not have any signs of insanity, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, Richards said.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • The Giants’ 5-1 win over the Texas Rangers on Monday, powered by two homers from Jung Hoo Lee and a strong start from Logan Webb, was secondary to the madness that preceded it.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • As in seasons past, episodes will explore the motives potentially lying behind the accused’s madness.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of madness
Noun
  • It’s been a classic staple over decades of British comedy, which from Basil Fawlty to David Brent has rejoiced in puncturing pomposity to reveal idiocy and incompetence.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The school board’s radical idiocy does not negate the state’s obligation to think about the longer haul — specifically, the structurally unbalanced budgets facing Chicago Public Schools as far as the eye can see.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of idiocy
Noun
  • Delicate Japanese simplicity prevails while leaving whispers of the original French palatial style—such as distinctive moldings that are unique to the building.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In general, higher-performing LED systems dominate the top of the ratings, while older halogen designs tend to cluster at the bottom, constrained by lower output and less precise beam control, despite offering advantages in simplicity and cost.
    — Matthew MacConnell, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • And there’s plenty more moving yet outrageous craziness to come.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, 1982 Before the kids, the craziness and the reality show, the head-over-heels Brits tied the knot in Maui, Hawaii.
    — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of craziness

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absurdities
absurdity
absurdness
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Cite this Entry

“Absurdity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absurdity. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on absurdity

Nglish: Translation of absurdity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about absurdity

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