absurd justifications

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absurd justifications" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe reasons or explanations that are unreasonable or illogical. Example: "The committee dismissed the proposal due to the absurd justifications provided by the applicant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The case not only demonstrates how government officials can devise absurd justifications, but highlights how judicial scrutiny can vary wildly depending on the constitutional rights at stake.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr Christie offered the absurd justification that one cannot put a price on the benefits to the people of New Jersey of having an elected senator three weeks earlier, rather than letting the Republican caretaker he had appointed ride it out.

The Economist

As Fei wrote, Armstrong "exposed the most searing experience of our lives, one that my husband and I still struggle to discuss with anyone but each other, for no other purpose than an absurd justification for corporate cost-cutting".

The New Yorker

I love this passage, because it finds such a simultaneously meaningful and absurd justification for Proust's worship of the aristocracy: that leisure class was, for better or worse, Proust's only available "source of concrete images" of the classless Utopia.

The New York Times - Books

I find this line of reasoning to be an absurd justification for the unnecessary slaughter.

Huffington Post

"No one should accept President Trump's absurd justification" for the firing, declared Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt)., the former head of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Los Angeles Times

A new exhibition in Barcelona, Vibracions Prohibides, documents the often absurd and hilarious justifications for these bans.

The Guardian - Music

The effort was widely seen as pointless and the justification absurd.

The New Yorker

Ronald Lauder, an American businessman and collector who is president of the World Jewish Congress, wrote to Mayor Geisel calling his justification absurd and asking him to reconsider.

The New York Times - Arts

("The reason we did it was to prove that it can be done,'' Eckard Wimmer, who led the team, said at the time. "Progress in biomedical research has its benefits and it has its downside.'') The effort was widely seen as pointless and the justification absurd.

The New Yorker

This supposed "cost-saving" justification is absurd -- multiple defense contracting scandals have only emphasized that when government contracts are awarded through political favoritism and pay-to-play dealmaking, public funds are squandered, not saved.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absurd justifications", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the irrationality or lack of logic in the reasons being presented. Strong examples or evidence can amplify the impact.

Common error

While effective in many situations, avoid using "absurd justifications" in highly formal or professional documents where a more diplomatic or nuanced critique is expected. Consider alternatives like "untenable reasons" or "questionable grounds".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absurd justifications" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "absurd" modifies the noun "justifications". It serves to describe the quality of the justifications, emphasizing their illogical or unreasonable nature, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absurd justifications" is a noun phrase used to express strong disapproval of illogical or unreasonable explanations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in contexts like news, science, and formal communication. While effective for conveying disbelief, caution is advised in strictly formal settings where nuanced critique is favored. Related terms include "ridiculous justifications" and "untenable justifications", each adding slight variations in meaning. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can effectively employ the phrase to highlight flawed reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ridiculous justifications

Replaces "absurd" with "ridiculous", suggesting a more laughable quality.

ludicrous justifications

Uses "ludicrous" to emphasize the extreme foolishness of the justifications.

preposterous justifications

Employs "preposterous" to highlight the outrageous nature of the justifications.

untenable justifications

Focuses on the indefensibility of the justifications, rather than their inherent absurdity.

flimsy justifications

Highlights the weak or inadequate basis of the justifications.

weak justifications

Emphasizes the lack of strength or validity in the provided reasons.

hollow justifications

Suggests that the justifications are empty or without substance.

unconvincing justifications

Focuses on the failure of the justifications to persuade or convince.

specious justifications

Implies that the justifications are deceptively plausible but ultimately false.

implausible justifications

Highlights the lack of believability in the given reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "absurd justifications" in a sentence?

You can use "absurd justifications" to describe reasons or explanations that are unreasonable or illogical. For example: "The committee dismissed the proposal due to the "absurd justifications" provided by the applicant."

What are some alternatives to "absurd justifications"?

You can use alternatives like "ridiculous justifications", "ludicrous justifications", or "preposterous justifications" depending on the context.

What makes a justification "absurd"?

A justification is considered "absurd" when it's so illogical, unreasonable, or out of place that it seems ridiculous or nonsensical. It often lacks any rational basis or connection to the issue it's supposed to explain.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "absurd justifications"?

The phrase "absurd justifications" is suitable when you want to strongly criticize the reasoning behind a decision or action, highlighting its lack of sense or logic. It works well in journalistic, analytical, and even some informal contexts where you aim to convey disbelief or strong disagreement.