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

Sure, The Critic had its fair sure of absurdity (one character was from Easter Island and bore a striking resemblance to a moai statue), but the New York in which it was set felt real in a way that Springfield or Quahog never did. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 29 Mar. 2025

Featuring intertwining narratives of doctors and patients, the film also includes a group of doctors-turned-comedians who use humor to highlight the absurdities of the system. —Lise Pedersen, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025

Chronicling the daily absurdities of a humble Scranton, Pa., paper company, this nine-season sitcom — an adaptation of Ricky Gervais' British original — redefined the workplace comedy genre while propelling the careers of Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Mindy Kaling, and more of its ensemble. —James Mercadante, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025

In the spirit of triangulation, though, perhaps there is a third way: acknowledging the absurdity of it all. —Rory Smith, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 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