Absurd — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /əb-ˈsərd/ ab·surd

Meaning & Definition of Absurd

Absurd (adjective)

  1. ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous, extremely silly or ridiculous
  2. having no rational or orderly relationship to human life, meaningless; also, lacking order or value
  3. dealing with the absurd or with absurdism

Absurd (noun)

  1. the state or condition in which human beings exist in an irrational and meaningless universe and in which human life has no ultimate meaning —usually used with the

Absurd (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. conceived or made without regard for reason or reality

    "absurd claims of having been abducted by UFO's"

  2. showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment

    "an absurd rule that bicycles are not allowed in the park"

  3. so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter

    "it's absurd to expect to make a killing in the stock market overnight"

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Absurd

The most common words with a similar meaning to Absurd:

Chiefly British: barmy
Informal: lunatic

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Absurd

Words with the opposite meaning of Absurd:

Near Antonyms of Absurd

Word Forms of Absurd

Derived words: absurdly (adverb), absurdness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Absurd

borrowed from Middle French absurde, going back to Old French absorde, borrowed from Latin absurdus "out of tune, uncouth, inappropriate, ridiculous," from ab- ab- + surdus "unhearing, deaf, muffled, dull" surd:1

First known use: 1530

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Absurd

Words & Phrases Containing Absurd

Frequently Asked Questions about Absurd

What does "Absurd" mean?

"Absurd" means ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous, extremely silly or ridiculous. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous, extremely silly or ridiculous. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Absurd"?

Other words for "Absurd" include bizarre, crazy, fanciful, fantastic, foolish, insane, nonsensical and preposterous. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Absurd" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Absurd"?

There are 158 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Absurd". Common alternatives include bizarre, crazy, fanciful, fantastic, foolish, insane, nonsensical, preposterous, unreal and wild.

What is the opposite of "Absurd"?

Antonyms of "Absurd" include realistic, reasonable, judicious, prudent, sagacious, sage, sane and sapient. Near antonyms include brainy, bright, clever and intelligent.

How do you use "Absurd" in a sentence?

Examples of "Absurd" in a sentence: "absurd claims of having been abducted by UFO's"; "an absurd rule that bicycles are not allowed in the park"; "it's absurd to expect to make a killing in the stock market overnight".

Is "Absurd" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Absurd" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Absurd" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Absurd" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Absurd"?

"Absurd" is pronounced /əb-ˈsərd/ and divided into syllables as ab·surd.