rather absurd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather absurd" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is quite ridiculous or unreasonable. Example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day is rather absurd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It's rather absurd, I know".

The New York Times

He was a rather absurd young man.

The Economist

And to the layman this looks rather absurd.

The Economist

"Given the available video footage," the report said, "this account is rather absurd on its face".

The New York Times

He did point out one or two howlers but the rest was rather absurd of him.

The Guardian - Books

Looked at that way, the campaign by some of those who are bearish on Apple stock to unseat Mr. Cook, Apple's chief executive, seems rather absurd.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

There will be some who find this film rather too absurd, with a whiff of shaggy dog, and some critics have found it essentially heartless.

The Guardian - Film

Yet a kind of dispassion or at least its chill veneer is also built into this movie simply because Mr. McDonagh has written and directed a comedy of cruelty that's predicated on the dubious idea that the spectacle of creative failure is comic (rather than absurd).

The New York Times

In one of my Huffington Post blogs I referred to Romney as Undercover Boss when he suggested effective government reforms rather than absurd budget cuts demanded by other Republicans.

Huffington Post

The effect is startling, strange, almost hallucinatory, rather than just absurd or ironic.

The Guardian - Film

This may seem rather abstract and absurd, but in dramatising Gilles's story Assayas makes it detailed and concrete.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather absurd" to express a moderate level of disbelief or disagreement with a statement or situation. It is more nuanced than simply saying something is "absurd".

Common error

While "rather absurd" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to convey your point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather absurd" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It expresses a subjective assessment, indicating that something is considered unreasonable, ridiculous, or illogical. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

HuffPost

12%

The Guardian

10%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Forbes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rather absurd" is a commonly used adjective phrase indicating that something is considered quite ridiculous or unreasonable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and applicable in various contexts, primarily within News & Media. While versatile, "rather absurd" may not always suit highly formal or academic writing, where more precise language might be preferred. Alternatives like "somewhat ludicrous" or "fairly ridiculous" can offer slight variations in emphasis. Understanding these nuances ensures effective communication and stylistic appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat ludicrous

Replaces "absurd" with "ludicrous" and "rather" with "somewhat", softening the expression slightly.

quite preposterous

Substitutes "absurd" with "preposterous" and "rather" with "quite", suggesting a higher degree of ridiculousness.

fairly ridiculous

Uses "ridiculous" instead of "absurd" and "fairly" instead of "rather", offering a more common alternative.

somewhat unreasonable

Replaces "absurd" with "unreasonable", shifting the focus to a lack of reason rather than pure absurdity.

slightly irrational

Emphasizes the lack of rational thought, replacing "absurd" with "irrational" and "rather" with "slightly".

moderately illogical

Focuses on the lack of logical consistency, using "illogical" instead of "absurd" and "moderately" instead of "rather".

mildly nonsensical

Highlights the lack of sense, replacing "absurd" with "nonsensical" and "rather" with "mildly".

kind of silly

Offers a more informal alternative, using "silly" instead of "absurd" and "kind of" instead of "rather".

a bit farcical

Describes something resembling a farce, highlighting the exaggerated and ridiculous nature of the situation.

borderline outrageous

Suggests the situation is close to being unacceptable, using "outrageous" instead of "absurd" and "borderline" instead of "rather".

FAQs

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

"Rather absurd" is used to describe something considered quite ridiculous or unreasonable. For example, "The suggestion that we could complete the project overnight is rather absurd."

What can I say instead of "rather absurd"?

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

Is "rather absurd" formal or informal?

"Rather absurd" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it might be too informal for very academic writing. The degree of formality depends on the context.

What's the difference between "rather absurd" and "very absurd"?

"Rather absurd" implies a moderate level of absurdity, while "very absurd" indicates a higher degree of absurdity. "Rather" softens the statement slightly, while "very" intensifies it.