1
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality
a nonsensical decision that didn't take account of all of the facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silly
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
your plan to lose weight through total starvation is completely nonsensical
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nonsensical
McAdams, who did yeoman’s work in Raimi’s previous movie (the aforementioned Marvel sequel), is the perfect fit for this kind of nonsensical Hollywood role.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
As nonsensical as this question may seem, attempts to answer it are already offering new and surprising lessons about the quantum world.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 27 Jan. 2026
The chastened agency now talks of a nonsensical $11 billion rail line from San Ysidro to Hillcrest.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
With a sprinkle of '80s nonsensical wit, Splash is an easy-breezy watch that finds its place in the sun by being ridiculously campy while grounding itself in earnestness, thanks to Hanks and Hannah's bewitching lead performances.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
Yes, bloated, geographically nonsensical conglomerates can provide joy.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The strange words, nonsensical games and creative play of your childhood might seem ridiculous today.
—Rebekah Willett, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Such a result would be nonsensical and a miscarriage of justice to the Bevins and other divorce litigants in Kentucky.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
The language of manifesting your dreams into reality might sound nonsensical or contrived, but to JOP, his magical thinking became his saving grace.
—Andrea Flores
jan. 8, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
As nonsensical as this question may seem, attempts to answer it are already offering new and surprising lessons about the quantum world.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 27 Jan. 2026
The chastened agency now talks of a nonsensical $11 billion rail line from San Ysidro to Hillcrest.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
With a sprinkle of '80s nonsensical wit, Splash is an easy-breezy watch that finds its place in the sun by being ridiculously campy while grounding itself in earnestness, thanks to Hanks and Hannah's bewitching lead performances.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
Yes, bloated, geographically nonsensical conglomerates can provide joy.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The strange words, nonsensical games and creative play of your childhood might seem ridiculous today.
—Rebekah Willett, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Such a result would be nonsensical and a miscarriage of justice to the Bevins and other divorce litigants in Kentucky.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
The language of manifesting your dreams into reality might sound nonsensical or contrived, but to JOP, his magical thinking became his saving grace.
—Andrea Flores
jan. 8, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonsensical
Adjective
-
Sentimental music, runaway kegs and brutally honest humor collide, making Bud Light’s Super Bowl moment feel effortless, absurd and perfectly timed.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Mike begins to struggle with the idea of doing something that might finally give his life (and his death) meaning, and although the film goes in absurd directions, Gavras sells it by pitching everything at the level of epic satire, his grandiose images working in tandem with moments of broad humor.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
On one memorable occasion when a Nazi came to town and threatened to burn a Q’uran and then march through the Somali neighborhood, water balloons and silly string.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The whole idea seems silly, but its impact could potentially increase the cost of aviation and affect flight safety and operations.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Why would someone dig such a bizarre underground hideout?—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Well, what happened next was pretty bizarre.—
Tom Margenau,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Being able to be in a room full of comedians being stupid and funny like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Republican primary voters who do stupid things and vote for candidates with no chance of winning suffer the consequences.—
Kevin Igoe,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Counting on one of the league’s most expensive talents to play meaningful minutes from here on out at his age with a track record like that is nearly as foolish as Nico trading a perennial MVP candidate at 26.—
Kevin Sherrington
Feb. 4,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The lesson isn’t that NBA teams are reckless or foolish.—
Spencer Harrison,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Last week, the wind-power green scam artists were back in federal court, arguing to be permitted to keep squandering billions more on those insane offshore windmills that produce next to no energy, but plenty of pollution.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
-
That’s the best reaction to these stupid, insane men ruling the world now and trying to grab and dominate the world.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Getting to play Survivor once is a dream, getting to play twice and on a monumental anniversary season is unreal.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The pressure King felt was unreal.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What a crazy winter this had been.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Holding space for your interests, priorities and life circumstances is good offense, but a crazy job market also requires strong career defense, such as plugging up your financial foundation and skill gaps.—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonsensical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonsensical. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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