nonsensical

Definition of nonsensicalnext
1
2

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 nonsensical Such technology can create pictures that look appealing but that actually involve nonsensical flourishes that, for example, are impossible to construct into operable sets or develop into wearable costumes. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 Sophia’s actual actions are just sort of random and nonsensical. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Measuring Sanskrit-era medicine by modern Western standards is obviously hard, if not nonsensical. Horatio Clare, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026 That’s nothing more than a nonsensical, demonizing political narrative spewed by left-wing politicians and their brethren in the progressive chattering class. Michael Zais, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 After days of speculation regarding their attempts to move into the first round, the Pelicans sat out the first day a year after moving their 2026 first-round pick to the Hawks in a truly nonsensical move. Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 26 June 2026 The liberal dissenters agreed with immigration rights lawyers who saw this as a nonsensical reading of the law. Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026 Since its premiere in 1981, the musical has built a reputation for being notoriously nonsensical. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2026 Popularized by a beer commercial during the 1986 World Cup, it’s used to rally on teams with its repetitive (albeit nonsensical) syllables as well as its upbeat ending. Michael Rios, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonsensical
Adjective
  • In each social-commentary-teetering-on-horror episode, Nanno is a pupil at a different school, picture perfect and scanning the room for whatever secrets — an abusive teacher, an absurd hierarchical system, petty jealousy — demand to be revealed.
    Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • Cattelan spoke to the Financial Times about the strange afterlife of the work, which has become both a symbol of the art market’s excesses and a reminder of his talent for turning absurd ideas into global spectacles.
    George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026
Adjective
  • Sevigny holds firm to Tatum’s hard-to-love jerkishness, which helps smooth over the serious arguments that can turn inadvertently silly (and amplifies the purely silly ones).
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
  • The post also included a sweet selfie with her two younger sons, with Mateo smiling widely and Ciro making a silly face for the camera.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • When this place is eventually gone — a phrase that feels truly bizarre given the environment this summer and the half-century preceding it — the lasting images will be the seas of red.
    Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • Continue reading … 'DEEPLY WEIRD' — CNN panel's bizarre 'read as Jewish' comment about a senator draws fierce blowback.
    , FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • Even when Romanzy goes off on how stupid and ugly Caleb is — and gossips that his parents abandoned him because something must be wrong with him — Mary goes along with it.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
  • Shockingly, the letter seems to be pushing for a return to standardized tests by, in effect, arguing that a growing percentage of their students are simply too stupid to succeed, no matter what professors do.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Johnson continued this week to push for his foolish and counterproductive desire to impose a $33-per-month tax on each Chicago job generated by the city’s largest private-sector employers.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
  • As is, this is a foolish thriller that prompts the occasional snicker but not much more.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • What saves Hyperdrive is the dry humour and the slightly insane set and character design.
    William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026
  • Every single story about his time in Hollywood was about a major movie, a major director, and lots of drugs and insane scandal.
    William Earl, Variety, 14 July 2026
Adjective
  • These digital technologies have also created an echo chamber of self-confirming views, which has contributed to an unreal, simplified view of a nuanced, messy world.
    Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • The air is fresh and clean, the pace is calm, and the views are unreal.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Call us crazy, but this may well earn our best-in-show accolade.
    Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 13 July 2026
  • Levelheaded and sincere in a show-business world of crazy egos.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonsensical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonsensical. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on nonsensical

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster