absurd Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a situation in which life seems irrational and meaningless
the absurd.
- The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth"--Albert Camus
adjective satellite inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
- the absurd predicament of seeming to argue that virtue is highly desirable but intensely unpleasant"- Walter Lippman
adjective satellite incongruous; inviting ridicule
derisory; ludicrous; idiotic; preposterous; cockeyed; ridiculous; laughable; nonsensical.
- the absurd excuse that the dog ate his homework
- that's a cockeyed idea
- ask a nonsensical question and get a nonsensical answer
- a contribution so small as to be laughable
- it is ludicrous to call a cottage a mansion
- a preposterous attempt to turn back the pages of history
- her conceited assumption of universal interest in her rather dull children was ridiculous

L. absurdus harsh-sounding; ab + (prob) a derivative fr. a root svar to sound; not connected with surd: cf. F. absurde. See Syringe.

Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and fiatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous; as, an absurd person, an absurd opinion; an absurd dream.
This proffer is absurd and reasonless. Shak.

'This phrase absurd to call a villain great. Pope.
irrational; ridiculous; preposterous; inconsistent; incongruous. -- Absurd, Irrational, Foolish, Preposterous. Of these terms, irrational is the weakest, denoting that which is plainly inconsistent with the dictates of sound reason; as, an irrational course of life. Foolish rises higher, and implies either a perversion of that faculty, or an absolute weakness or fatuity of mind; as, foolish enterprises. Absurd rises still higher, denoting that which is plainly opposed to received notions of propriety and truth; as, an absurd man, project, opinion, story, argument, etc. Preposterous rises still higher, and supposes an absolute inversion in the order of things; or, in plain terms, a "putting of the cart before the horse;" as, a preposterous suggestion, preposterous conduct, a preposterous regulation or law.