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
Paula makes sure that their hall table is set with the preposterous gifts — exotic fruits, rare cuts of meat — that Agnes has received from potential suitors.
—
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Gee, what could go wrong with a preposterous system like that?
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Tasked only with scoring, the 5-foot-11 Long Rife put up truly preposterous numbers at Union-Whitten High School.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
Which makes the city's lack of the viral soft serve margaritas feel preposterous.
—Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Gee, what could go wrong with a preposterous system like that?
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Tasked only with scoring, the 5-foot-11 Long Rife put up truly preposterous numbers at Union-Whitten High School.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
Which makes the city's lack of the viral soft serve margaritas feel preposterous.
—Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preposterous
Adjective
-
Unfortunately, in life, there are few greater certainties than eventual statistical regression to the mean; the Broncos are primed for it, after winning an absurd amount of one-score games.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
-
The Daily Show making fun of two absurd AI start-ups designed by losers to cater to a loser clientele.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The fantasy comedy twisted the types of fairy tales that Disney was known for with cruder and sillier humor and centered a grumpy ogre journeying to save a princess.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
So, yes, this movie about the silly baby Yoda creature has a lot riding on it.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Given how short all total solar eclipses are, being at all concerned about how many seconds totality lasts is actually ridiculous.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
10 May 2026
-
That, of course, didn’t set well with WWE’s passionate fan base, especially given that WWE found enough time to put on a ridiculous amount of commercials but somehow not enough to spotlight one of its longest-running rivalry featuring two of the top stars in the women’s division.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
But what happened on April 21 was ominous and bizarre, not conventional.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
And would today’s more bizarre cast of characters prove even more compelling?—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Let’s face it, life is full of foolish decisions.—
Jay Weissberg,
Variety,
14 May 2026
-
Trump previously said his administration would have been foolish not to accept it.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Just a pathetic, sad old man who hated the world and spent his days in solitude.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
The man who has been on fire since the Knicks first tipped off against the Atlanta Hawks shot a ghastly — nay, a pathetic — 53 percent from the field.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
But this year, the bond between the boys had just been unreal.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Washington is waking up to what still feels to those of us who are in attendance or even those watching on live television to be an unreal experience.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Most big comedy shows at the fest had a strict no cellphones policy, Seinfeld was content with just reminding us that our friends are all sick of our stupid cellphone videos.—
Malina Saval,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Don’t eat stupid food, don’t do music in the background.—
Terry Terrones,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preposterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preposterous. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
