the absurd
noun
1
: a state or condition of extreme silliness or foolishness : an absurd or ridiculous state
Her ideas once seemed reasonable, but now they verge on the absurd.
2
: things that are absurd
a filmmaker who is fascinated with the absurd
Examples of the absurd in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some of the videos reposted without comment veered from the political to the absurd.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Here’s where things take a turn for the absurd.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
Showalter and his crew turn up the emotional honesty in this tremendously effective feature, which never loses sight of the absurd comedy within this deathly serious situation.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Now eighty-six, Eggleston—who was born and lives in Memphis—has a distinctly Southern sense of humor that draws on observation, gossip, and a love of the absurd.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the absurd
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Bart Jansen, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Here’s where things take a turn for the absurd.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
Showalter and his crew turn up the emotional honesty in this tremendously effective feature, which never loses sight of the absurd comedy within this deathly serious situation.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Now eighty-six, Eggleston—who was born and lives in Memphis—has a distinctly Southern sense of humor that draws on observation, gossip, and a love of the absurd.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the absurd
Cite this Entry
“The absurd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20absurd. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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