absurdity

noun

ab·​sur·​di·​ty əb-ˈsər-də-tē  -ˈzər- 

plural absurdities

1

: the quality or state of being absurd : absurdness

They laughed at the absurdity of the situation.

2

: something that is absurd

the absurdities of life

Synonyms

• asininity
• bêtise
• fatuity
• folly
• foolery
• foppery
• idiocy
• imbecility
• inanity
• insanity
• lunacy
• stupidity

Examples of absurdity in a Sentence

to say men can't cook as well as women is of course an absurdity

the absurdity of expecting a 98-year-old woman to adequately supervise four six-year-olds

Recent Examples on the Web

CHiPs was real, Kid Cop Nights is fake, and neither the two-dimensional storytelling of the former nor the hacky absurdity of the latter seem to have much in common with either of the shows referencing them. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2025

The latest teaser trailer features some of the same delightful absurdity as the 1984 original. —Ben Rosenstock, Time, 16 May 2025

Like sister-in-law Debra, Amy couldn't win with her future in-laws, sparking a bond between the two over the sheer absurdity of the Barones. —Kate Hogan, People.com, 16 May 2025

The absurdity of it all was met with laughter, light applause and exactly one whistle. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English absurditee "dissonance, unjust practice," borrowed from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French absurdité, borrowed from Late Latin absurditāt-, absurditās, from Latin absurdus absurd entry 1 + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 2