1
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality
the idea that extraterrestrials built the pyramids is preposterous
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silly
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
a preposterous suggestion to go swimming in this freezing weather
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ridiculous
so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter
the movie thriller had such a preposterous plot that we were on the edge of our seats snickering
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preposterous
Tasked only with scoring, the 5-foot-11 Long Rife put up truly preposterous numbers at Union-Whitten High School.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
Which makes the city's lack of the viral soft serve margaritas feel preposterous.
—Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
One Boston city council member, Julia Mejia, is pushing a home rule petition allowing non-citizens to vote in elections, a preposterous prospect that is making the city a laughingstock.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The film mixes absurdist comedy and action, including a preposterous rooftop escape and a thrillingly disorienting car chase on desert roads.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
Which makes the city's lack of the viral soft serve margaritas feel preposterous.
—Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
One Boston city council member, Julia Mejia, is pushing a home rule petition allowing non-citizens to vote in elections, a preposterous prospect that is making the city a laughingstock.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The film mixes absurdist comedy and action, including a preposterous rooftop escape and a thrillingly disorienting car chase on desert roads.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preposterous
Adjective
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As usual, human progress gets the sublimely absurd Herzogian treatment, with modern and primordial sights and sounds becoming whole.—
Eric Kohn,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
-
But the idea of using one for multiple hours every day, or of trying to socialize in real life while the people around me try to meet my digital avatar’s dead eyes, is absurd.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The manic, madcap, chaotic and silly stunt show was heavy on exposition to the delight of the fans who cheered the entrance of every One Piece character and laughed at the downfall of paper-thin goon.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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And so a very silly conversation leads to a series of positions that are far from frivolous.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the annals of English football, this shoots close to the top of the list of ridiculous moments, along with Troy Deeney’s mad goal for Watford in the Championship play-offs in 2013 and Sergio Aguero’s Premier League title-winning strike for Manchester City in 2012.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The ridiculous Ballroom lawsuit, brought by a woman walking her dog, who has absolutely No Standing to bring such a suit, must be dropped, immediately.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Upset over a bizarre technical foul in Game 2, Booker unloaded on the refs, particularly James Williams.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The New York Giants had a completely bizarre draft on Thursday – one that even left star wide receiver Malik Nabers visibly frustrated during his own simulcast with Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons.—
Ryan Gaydos OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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If Florida is worried about China’s rise, dismantling educational and cultural exchanges is a foolish response.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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But the Stars should be trying to goad the Wild into foolish penalties.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But as Notes from Underground progresses, his behavior turns from funny to pathetic to downright despicable.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
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Over pinwheeling synths, Mahesh inhabits her narrator’s misplaced longing with gooey, heart-eyed delusion and sweetly pathetic determination.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Sadiq is an unreal athlete, and will instantly become an irreplaceable piece of New York’s offense.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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These structures look unreal in two dimensions, as if they were made mostly of air.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Nothing gets Trump angrier than when one of his underlings is caught doing something stupid on videotape.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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But to those going to an upcoming show, for the love of God please shut up when Raye is sharing this story; a quiet room isn’t a license to yell stupid nonsense.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preposterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preposterous. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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