absurdity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "absurdity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "absurdity" to describe something that is ridiculously unreasonable, illogical, or out of place. Example sentence: The absurdity of the situation left us speechless.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just down the road from my house are shops that demonstrate the absurdity of our drug laws.

The Guardian - Opinion

At its most extreme the ban's absurdity was exposed on the BBC comedy mock-news show The Day Today when Steve Coogan, playing a Sinn Féin spokesman, sucked in helium before an interview in order "to subtract credibility from his statements".

The Guardian

As he said: "With Miller, we are constantly surprised by the possibilities in each of us, for cruelty or compassion or absurdity".

The Guardian

It epitomises that combination of menace and absurdity satirised in Chris Morris's film Four Lions.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's an absurdity to think that old growth should be wiped away for tissue products, and just about every consumer agrees with that point.

The Guardian

However, it is technical issues, rather than the absurdity of it all, that loses the brush points.

The Guardian - Tech

I've written often about the absurdity of half the world using dry toilet paper to cleanse the dirtiest part of our bodies; that's almost dwarfed by the leeway given to an industry that makes products that are inserted into or used near one of the most absorbent parts of a woman's body.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lord Mandelson, writing in the Guardian, describes the process of shadow cabinet election as "an absurdity", but admits that New Labour had lost out because in government it had been too lazy to organise the grassroots, acting as if the nitty gritty of such work was beneath it.

The Guardian

Runner-up: Bizarre for the sheer editorial absurdity that the most watched televisual spectacle of the millennium would need to be modified for its audience, Grazia's royal wedding cover featured what most would consider Photoshop's apex of pointlessness: a slimmer Kate Middleton.

The Guardian - Arts

I was looking for the absurdity, because where there is this kind of absurdity, there is also sadness.

The Guardian - Arts

This was a vote that took the idea of democratic competition to new levels of absurdity: Karimov's opponents all praised the incumbent as the best candidate – a situation akin to Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage throwing their weight behind David Cameron.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absurdity" to highlight a stark contrast between expectation and reality, especially when emphasizing the illogical nature of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "absurdity" in situations that require a more nuanced critique or analysis. Reserve it for instances where the illogical nature is blatant and intended to be highlighted.

Linguistic Context

The noun "absurdity" functions as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It denotes the quality of being ridiculous or unreasonable. As Ludwig AI points out, this word is appropriate to be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "absurdity" functions as a noun, denoting something ridiculous or unreasonable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English. It is prevalent in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts. When writing, it's crucial to use "absurdity" when you want to highlight a stark contrast between expectation and reality, especially when emphasizing the illogical nature of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ridiculousness

Focuses on the quality of being worthy of mockery or derision.

preposterousness

Emphasizes the quality of being utterly absurd or ridiculous, often to an extreme degree.

ludicrousness

Highlights the humorous and laughable aspect of something absurd.

irrationality

Focuses on the lack of reason or logical sense.

folly

Suggests foolishness or lack of good judgment.

incongruity

Points out the state of being out of place or inconsistent.

nonsensicality

Emphasizes the lack of meaning or intelligibility.

farcical nature

Implies a situation is so ridiculous as to resemble a farce.

unreasonableness

Highlights the state of not being guided by or based on good sense.

buffoonery

Suggests a behavior that is clownish and silly.

FAQs

How can I use "absurdity" in a sentence?

You can use "absurdity" to describe something that is ridiculously unreasonable or illogical. For example: "The "absurdity" of the situation left everyone speechless".

What are some synonyms for "absurdity"?

Synonyms for "absurdity" include "ridiculousness", "fatuity", and "silliness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "absurdity" and "paradox"?

"Absurdity" refers to something illogical or nonsensical, while "paradox" refers to a statement that appears self-contradictory but contains a deeper truth. A situation can be an "absurdity" without being a paradox, and vice versa.

Is it appropriate to use "absurdity" in formal writing?

Yes, "absurdity" is appropriate in formal writing when used to accurately describe a situation that is clearly illogical or unreasonable. It can effectively convey a sense of disbelief or disapproval.