Absurdity refers to the quality of being utterly illogical, unreasonable, or contrary to common sense and reality. It involves situations, ideas, or actions that defy rationality, often evoking feelings of disbelief, amusement, or astonishment due to their extreme irrationality.
In Indonesian, the equivalent term is “ketidakmasukakalan.”
Sample Sentences:
- The absurdity of the magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat left the audience in awe.
- The company’s decision to launch an ice cream line in the middle of winter was met with confusion and perceived as an example of marketing absurdity.
- The novel’s plot, featuring talking animals and time travel, delved into a realm of delightful absurdity.
- The politician’s attempt to justify his contradictory statements only added to the absurdity of his position.
- Mark’s proposal to build a skyscraper on a floating platform was met with laughter due to its engineering absurdity.
- The film’s dark comedy played on the absurdity of everyday situations, making audiences question societal norms.
- The artist’s abstract painting was a beautiful expression of creative absurdity, inviting viewers to interpret its meaning.
- The argument escalated into absurdity as both parties continued to make increasingly irrational claims.
- Jane’s belief in conspiracy theories demonstrated a willingness to embrace the absurdity without evidence.
- The absurdity of the situation was palpable when the supposedly haunted house turned out to be a prank.
Synonyms:
- Nonsense
- Ridiculousness
- Illogicality
- Preposterousness
- Inanity
Antonyms:
- Rationality
- Sensibility
- Logic
- Reasonableness
Related Words:
- Absurdism
- Paradox
- Contradiction
- Farce
Phrasal Verbs:
- Play off (exploit absurdity for personal gain)
- Carry on (persist in absurdity)
- Make light of (treat absurdity humorously)
Idioms:
- Jump the shark: The moment when a TV show becomes so absurd that it loses its original appeal.
- A fool’s errand: A task that is bound to fail due to its inherent absurdity.
- Off the wall: Bizarre or absurd.
Conclusion: Absurdity highlights the intriguing interplay between logic and imagination, often leading to unexpected and humorous outcomes. It prompts us to question conventional thinking and embrace creative thinking while being mindful of its limits. In conjunction with terms like “nonsense” and “ridiculousness,” absurdity encourages us to appreciate the unconventional and engage with life’s quirks in a way that challenges our perceptions and fosters innovative perspectives.