absurdity

noun

ab·​sur·​di·​ty əb-ˈsər-də-tē How to pronounce absurdity (audio) -ˈzər- How to pronounce absurdity (audio)
plural absurdities
1
: the quality or state of being absurd : absurdness
They laughed at the absurdity of the situation.
2
: 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.
Alps is really about the absurdity of acting in general, and perhaps the specific psychological burden of the Method in particular. A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025 The costumes point out the absurdity of bringing National Guard troops into cities, Faith Gill said. Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025 The series highlights the absurdities and hypocrisies therein. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025 The man behind the camera laughs at the absurdity of the scene before continuing to tell the man to leave. Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 19 Oct. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Absurdity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absurdity. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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