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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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
His preposterous bluster about Greenland, Cuba, and NATO has undermined the postwar alliance.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Tasked only with scoring, the 5-foot-11 Long Rife put up truly preposterous numbers at Union-Whitten High School.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
Which makes the city's lack of the viral soft serve margaritas feel preposterous.
—Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
One Boston city council member, Julia Mejia, is pushing a home rule petition allowing non-citizens to vote in elections, a preposterous prospect that is making the city a laughingstock.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
David Remnick, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Tasked only with scoring, the 5-foot-11 Long Rife put up truly preposterous numbers at Union-Whitten High School.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
Which makes the city's lack of the viral soft serve margaritas feel preposterous.
—Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
One Boston city council member, Julia Mejia, is pushing a home rule petition allowing non-citizens to vote in elections, a preposterous prospect that is making the city a laughingstock.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preposterous
Adjective
-
Still absurd to the average person, but a far cry from what Biles paid.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
As paranoia festers and absurd regulations tighten their grip, suspicion replaces love, and truth itself begins to warp.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Not bad for a silly movie about killer worms from outer space.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
-
The idea seemed silly at first — who would be interested in a bean box subscription?—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Where to Eat Dallas has been enjoying a booming restaurant scene of late, with elite newcomers arriving at borderline ridiculous speed.—
Jonathan Thompson,
Travel + Leisure,
3 May 2026
-
Continue reading … ‘INSANE’ — Minnesota mayors drag 'ridiculous' bill penalizing cities for not flying new controversial flag.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
La beauté bizarre of the Lobster Boy is decadent.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Fabianne Therese plays a young woman on a hike in the woods with her boyfriend (Seann William Scott) who runs afoul of a bizarre, imposing figure (pro wrestler Max the Impaler) with a porcelain doll mask intent on raising her as a child.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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When a Republican says something foolish, network anchors react like a gator just crawled into the studio wearing a MAGA hat.—
Larry Clifton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
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If Florida is worried about China’s rise, dismantling educational and cultural exchanges is a foolish response.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But as Notes from Underground progresses, his behavior turns from funny to pathetic to downright despicable.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Over pinwheeling synths, Mahesh inhabits her narrator’s misplaced longing with gooey, heart-eyed delusion and sweetly pathetic determination.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Washington is waking up to what still feels to those of us who are in attendance or even those watching on live television to be an unreal experience.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Sadiq is an unreal athlete, and will instantly become an irreplaceable piece of New York’s offense.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran — theyr’e not stupid.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
That was celebrated by the lefties as liberation, or something stupid like that.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preposterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preposterous. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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