1
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality
the idea that extraterrestrials built the pyramids is preposterous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silly
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
a preposterous suggestion to go swimming in this freezing weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ridiculous
so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter
the movie thriller had such a preposterous plot that we were on the edge of our seats snickering
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 preposterous
And please, spare me the preposterous comparisons to January 6, when the only death was of an unarmed female Air Force veteran who was laughing as she was gunned down in cold blood by a racist cop who was then given multiple awards by Democrats.
—
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
The idea that the government will prevent shootings in the future is preposterous.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
While Mare blossoms quickly under his guidance, the rest lag doltishly behind, using journalism as a pretext to confront an ex, or getting duped by some teens into writing a credulous account of a preposterous youth trend.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
These things are so preposterous.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
The idea that the government will prevent shootings in the future is preposterous.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
While Mare blossoms quickly under his guidance, the rest lag doltishly behind, using journalism as a pretext to confront an ex, or getting duped by some teens into writing a credulous account of a preposterous youth trend.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
These things are so preposterous.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preposterous
Adjective
-
This would be an absurd show of force, and totally uncalled for during a government shutdown when members of the military cannot even get a paycheck.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Knightley and Pearce coast and their characters never come alive and resort to doing silly things at this misfire’s absurd, regrettable finale.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Duncan is a little bit higher and a little bit more innocent, Tristan’s always being a little bit silly, and then Preston’s pretty much [lowers voice] down here.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Nearly two months after losing River, Smith belly-laughed for the first time while watching her two children be silly outside in the rain.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Sketch ridiculous inventions, stage a mini talent show, or build something with whatever's at hand.—
Cas Holman,
CNBC,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Is anyone resisting this ridiculous trend?—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In the film, Credenza runs the bizarre amusement park of Twitlandia alongside her husband — delighting in dirty pranks, filth and cruelty along the way.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
However, an anonymous NFL general manager has urged the team to target a bizarre position instead.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Misiorowski had made Edman look foolish in their first matchup, getting the infielder to swing through a wicked curveball.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Orús and Lizaso believe that the AI arms race is foolish.—
Vivienne Walt,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And Craig Waterman, the marketing executive from the 2024 film Friendship, took Robinson into new territory with a darker and more pathetic take on the same neurotic type.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
13 Oct. 2025
-
In his brightest moments, Mike is boyishly gentle, a little wacky, and modestly proud — all in ways that Dillane manages to make feel both pathetic and delightful.—
Beatrice Loayza,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Turner called Simons an unreal talent.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Ciudad Valles The Mexican state of San Luis Potosí is famous for its seemingly unreal, cerulean blue waterfalls.—
Sarah Buder,
AFAR Media,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But, God, to be able to play a Pablo Escobar who was just petty and wanted friends, there was something so stupid and so hilarious about that to me.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Keaton continued to play oddballs with a peculiar way of talking, though none were trivial or stupid.—
Matt Zoller Seitz,
Vulture,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preposterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preposterous. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share