preposterous
adjective
pre·pos·ter·ous
pri-ˈpä-st(ə-)rəs 
: contrary to nature, reason, or common sense : absurd
preposterously
adverb
preposterousness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of preposterous in a Sentence
The whole idea is preposterous!
the idea that extraterrestrials built the pyramids is preposterous
Recent Examples on the Web
But the question was more logical than preposterous.
—
Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025
Before Perry’s preposterous prayer, the Stags were just 8-14 overall, 4-7 in Metro Atlantic play.
—Jim Root, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
This is still a preposterous way to govern, as there are currently over 40 national emergencies in effect.
—The Editors, National Review, 2 Feb. 2025
These two are preposterous, dangerous choices for their respective positions, and senators should do well to remember that this isn’t a game or a campaign ad.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for preposterous 
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Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025
Before Perry’s preposterous prayer, the Stags were just 8-14 overall, 4-7 in Metro Atlantic play.
—Jim Root, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
This is still a preposterous way to govern, as there are currently over 40 national emergencies in effect.
—The Editors, National Review, 2 Feb. 2025
These two are preposterous, dangerous choices for their respective positions, and senators should do well to remember that this isn’t a game or a campaign ad.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for preposterous
Dictionary Entries Near preposterous
Cite this Entry
“Preposterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preposterous. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preposterous
adjective
pre·pos·ter·ous
pri-ˈpäs-t(ə-)rəs
: making little or no sense : absurd
preposterously
adverb
preposterousness
noun
Etymology
from Latin praeposterus, literally, "having the rear part in front," from prae- "in front, before" and posterus "coming behind, following"
Word Origin
The familiar expression "putting the cart before the horse" comes very close to the literal sense of the word preposterous. The Romans formed their Latin adjective praeposterus from prae-, meaning "before," and posterus, meaning "following." They at first used it to mean "having that first which ought to be last," like having a cart ahead of the horse that is pulling it. Praeposterus was used to describe something that was out of the normal or logical order or position. From this developed the more general sense of "ridiculous, absurd." These meanings were borrowed into English in the 16th century. Although preposterous is seldom used in its literal sense nowadays, we still use it to describe something that seems so unreasonable as to be ridiculous.
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