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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preposterous
Alternative ways to score lounge benefits Only 10 years ago, the idea of paying $450 a year for a credit card seemed preposterous for most Americans.
—
Katherine Fan, AFAR Media, 16 July 2025
The question itself was preposterous before the recent streak.
—Greg Cote
july 20, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Worse, the mystery leads to a preposterous, unsatisfying and predictable resolution.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 17 July 2025
To others, any effort to downplay Clark’s individual appeal is preposterous.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Katherine Fan, AFAR Media, 16 July 2025
The question itself was preposterous before the recent streak.
—Greg Cote
july 20, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Worse, the mystery leads to a preposterous, unsatisfying and predictable resolution.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 17 July 2025
To others, any effort to downplay Clark’s individual appeal is preposterous.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preposterous
Adjective
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My point wasn’t that men have had a harder time than women — that would be absurd.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
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Given the already substantial spend on incoming transfers, suggesting the club needs more, possibly sending its spending past the $500 million mark, seems absurd, almost greedy.—
James Nalton,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Alcaraz and Sinner are early enough in their careers that debates around their legacies feel silly.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
20 Aug. 2025
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Evans described Steve as goofy, silly, and full of charm, with a love for food and people alike.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Drawing such conclusions from two, admittedly sparkling, performances is ridiculous.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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No Other Choice blends mismatched tones and genre hallmarks in a way that’s typical for Park and yet remains invigorating, leading to a ridiculous look at what happens when the system pushes a person to the very edge of desperation.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The indictment of Adams’ former top advisor came a day after another member of Adams’ inner circle became embroiled in a bizarre apparent bribery attempt involving a news reporter.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
21 Aug. 2025
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This descriptor originated from internet memes about bizarre scenarios happening in the state of Ohio.—
Mia Thurow,
jsonline.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Perhaps outright incarceration is foolish, but some responsibility should fall on the parents’ shoulders.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Aug. 2025
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Given that association with the Trumps and their circle defines the club, Donald, Jr., would be foolish to expect less than a fifth of any profits.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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How petty and pathetic and thin-skinned could this administration get?—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
22 Aug. 2025
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Two things were completely predictable after Donald Trump’s pathetic stunt, packing the streets of Washington, DC, with National Guard members and federal agents, allegedly to combat crime.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Its immersive screen makes games look unreal, and the OLED panel blows everything else out of the water with its colors and contrast.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
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Cameron Goode: Being on that stage is just such an unreal experience.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Jess: The curds themselves are crispy, but the toast is stupid.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
22 Aug. 2025
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The dialogue wasn’t dumbed down and stupid comic book stuff.—
William Earl,
Variety,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preposterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preposterous. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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