1
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality
the idea that extraterrestrials built the pyramids is preposterous
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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
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of preposterous
Advertisement The lawsuit called the allegations against Miller preposterous.
—
Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Andrew Ferguson: Malcolm Gladwell’s Talking to Strangers doesn’t say much
Today, talking about social contagion without taking these forces into account would be preposterous.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 27 Sep. 2024
Anyone who is actually engaged in the autism community would know how preposterous these characterizations are.
—Michael Bernick, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
When prices for collector cars became especially preposterous during the pandemic, this generation of GT3 demanded massive premiums, especially for GT3s equipped with the Touring Package.
—Christian Gilbertsen, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preposterous 
Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Andrew Ferguson: Malcolm Gladwell’s Talking to Strangers doesn’t say much
Today, talking about social contagion without taking these forces into account would be preposterous.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 27 Sep. 2024
Anyone who is actually engaged in the autism community would know how preposterous these characterizations are.
—Michael Bernick, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
When prices for collector cars became especially preposterous during the pandemic, this generation of GT3 demanded massive premiums, especially for GT3s equipped with the Touring Package.
—Christian Gilbertsen, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preposterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preposterous
Adjective
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This absurd claim is an extension of their relentless obsession to remove checks and balances within our government.Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
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The three books so far are deeply romantic, gorgeously tragic, smart as hell, and written in this absurd baroque, irreverent language.Constance Grady, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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But while the 118 is able to save both Celeste and her mother-in-law’s final resting place, a smug Trent trips and drops the vase, an appropriate punchline to a very silly cold open.Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
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Read more Today's talkers Take a break from the election with these silly, happy shows.Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The duplication of effort, the ridiculous hours, and the endless inefficiencies were invisible.Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024
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The man’s ridiculous splashing now awoke a strange tender feeling in Craint, such as one might feel for something dear and helpless.Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Physicists debated for decades (opens a new tab) whether this bizarre superfluid-solid hybrid could exist.Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
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When her favorite author from childhood reemerges with a new book and a chance to win the only existing copy, Lucy sets out to win this bizarre competition filled with riddles and games.The Courier-Journal, The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The authors concluded that any attempt to create a synthetic substance to replace the mud — something Major League Baseball has explored — would be foolish.Evan Bush, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
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To end its losing tradition, Colorado has to stop making foolish choices with its payroll.Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The upcoming sequel to This Is Spinal Tap will be turning the pathetic knobs all the way to 11.Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024
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After a downright pathetic few weeks, the Russians regrouped—or at least got regrouped enough.Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Tastes unreal and the pasta has 15 grams of protein alone!!!Ashia Aubourg, Outside Online, 8 Nov. 2024
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Comments Horror thrives in abstract spaces — the unknown, the unreal, the inexplicable, the irrational.Declan Gallagher and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Give yourself permission to go see a truly stupid movie.Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US, theweek, 8 Nov. 2024
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Among the show’s many, many, many Twilight Zone spoofs, this one is the funniest and the best, with a conclusion that’s equal parts brilliant and stupid.Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near preposterous
Cite this Entry
“Preposterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preposterous. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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