it sounds absurd

USAGE SUMMARY

'It sounds absurd' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express disbelief about something, or to express that an idea or suggestion seems ridiculous. Example: "My accountant suggested that I invest in a pyramid scheme - it sounds absurd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It sounds absurd.

The Economist

It sounds absurd and it is.

The Guardian

"It sounds absurd, but I don't exist," he said.

The New York Times

It sounds absurd but believe me, they did that.

The Guardian

It sounds absurd but it was a tremendous release.

The Guardian

It sounds absurd to say it, yet people really believed that.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

When the inaugural committee first asked him for a donation of $50,000 of his own, it "sounded absurd to me," Mr. Sacca said.

The New York Times

Her crusty husband, Beano (the handle may have worked when he was a boy, but now that he was over sixty it sounded absurd), could probably use a little eye candy twitching onto their screened-in porch for sundowners: some narrow hips wrapped tightly in a fresh kikoi, long wet hair slicked back from a tanned, exertion-flushed face after a shower.

The New Yorker

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Vice

It sounded absurd, and then I saw it.

Vice

The idea of shifting gears from consumer-content site to sophisticated business-information source that will execute high-dollar-value transactions is so ambitious it almost sounds absurd.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it sounds absurd" to express your immediate reaction to something you find illogical or hard to believe. It's often followed by an explanation to justify your reaction.

Common error

While "it sounds absurd" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Consider more nuanced alternatives like "this proposition lacks supporting evidence" or "the rationale is questionable" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sounds absurd" functions as an expression of disbelief or incredulity. It typically introduces a statement that the speaker finds illogical, unreasonable, or difficult to accept. As noted by Ludwig, it is generally correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it sounds absurd" is a common and grammatically correct way to express disbelief or incredulity. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase signals that something appears illogical or unreasonable. It is frequently found in news and media sources, and can also appear in science and more formal business contexts. While perfectly acceptable in many situations, remember that more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or highly professional settings. When using this phrase, be prepared to explain why something sounds absurd to provide context and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems ridiculous

Changes the verb from "sounds" to "seems", which carries a similar meaning, and replaces "absurd" with "ridiculous".

that's a preposterous idea

Replaces the entire structure with a more direct declaration of the idea being preposterous.

it's hard to believe

Shifts the focus to the difficulty in accepting something as true.

that seems highly improbable

Emphasizes the low likelihood of something being true or accurate.

it defies logic

Highlights the lack of logical consistency or coherence.

that's utter nonsense

Expresses strong disagreement or disbelief, labeling something as meaningless.

it's a crazy suggestion

Uses a more informal term, "crazy", to convey the absurdity.

that's just not plausible

Focuses on the lack of believability or feasibility.

it's an unbelievable claim

Highlights that claim is questionable or difficult to accept

that defies common sense

Emphasizes a conflict with practical understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "it sounds absurd" in a sentence?

You can use "it sounds absurd" to express disbelief or incredulity regarding a statement, idea, or situation. For example, "The proposal to cut funding for education /s/it+sounds+absurd/ when we need it most."

What are some alternatives to "it sounds absurd"?

Alternatives include "it seems ridiculous", "that's a preposterous idea", or "it's hard to believe" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "it sounds absurd" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it sounds absurd" might be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using phrases like "this proposition lacks supporting evidence" or "the rationale is questionable" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "it sounds absurd" and "it sounds ridiculous"?

While both convey disbelief, "absurd" often implies a higher degree of illogicality or unreasonableness, whereas "ridiculous" might simply mean laughable or silly. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.