absurdity

noun

ab·sur·di·ty əb-ˈsər-də-tē

-ˈzər-

plural absurdities

Synonyms of absurdity next

: the quality or state of being absurd : absurdness

They laughed at the absurdity of the situation.

: something that is absurd

the absurdities of life

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

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.

Many have judged both him and us based on accusations, conspiracy theories, and false narratives that have spiraled into absurdity on social media. —

Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024 Brought to life through campy, surrealist sets and unforgettable cameos, the show takes the viewer through a series of dreamlike vignettes that brilliantly articulate the absurdity and tedium of life under late-capitalism. —

Samantha Allen, Them, 20 Nov. 2024 When the Pope Dies, the Cardinals Get Catty In Conclave, Vatican City isn’t immune to election-season absurdity. —

Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024 An absurdity, really—his third time trying to cross the border and his third time nearly dying to achieve it. —

Kayla Aletha Welch, Longreads, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for absurdity

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of absurdity was circa 1525

See more words from the same year