preposterous
- Adjective:
- Completely contrary to reason or common sense; absurd and ridiculous: Describes something so irrational, foolish, or illogical that it is laughable or shocking.
- Inverted or reversed in order or nature: In a formal or historical sense, describes something with the natural or proper order reversed (e.g., putting the cart before the horse).
The word "preposterous" is a strong adjective used to express that an idea, statement, situation, or action is utterly absurd. It is more forceful than words like "silly" or "unreasonable." It is typically used in formal or emphatic contexts to convey disbelief, outrage, or mockery.
- Adjective:
- The idea that the moon is made of cheese is utterly preposterous.
- He made the preposterous claim that he had never received the email, despite our having his read receipt.
- It is preposterous to expect a toddler to sit still for three hours.
"preposterous to the point of being laughable": Emphasizes that the absurdity is so extreme it becomes humorous.
- The villain's plan for world domination was preposterous to the point of being laughable.
"a preposterous notion/suggestion/idea": Common collocations for abstract concepts.
- Dismissing the proposal as a preposterous notion, the committee moved on.
Preposterously (adverb): In an absurd or ridiculous manner.
- The prices at that boutique are preposterously high.
Preposterousness (noun): The quality of being absurd or contrary to reason.
- The preposterousness of his argument was evident to everyone in the room.
- Absurd: Wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate.
- Ludicrous: So foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing.
- Ridiculous: Deserving or inviting derision or mockery.
- Outrageous: Shockingly bad or excessive; can overlap with "preposterous" in meaning "unacceptable."
- Nonsensical: Having no meaning; making no sense.
- Sensible: Chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence; reasonable.
- Logical: Characterized by clear, sound reasoning.
- Rational: Based on or in accordance with reason or logic.
- Reasonable: Having sound judgment; fair and sensible.
"That's preposterous!": A common exclamation of disbelief or dismissal.
- "You expect me to believe you were abducted by aliens? That's preposterous!"
"Beyond preposterous": Used to describe something even more absurd than what is typically considered preposterous.
- The conspiracy theory was beyond preposterous; it was dangerously delusional.
- incongruous; inviting ridicule
- the absurd excuse that the dog ate his homework
- that's a cockeyed idea
- ask a nonsensical question and get a nonsensical answer
- a contribution so small as to be laughable
- it is ludicrous to call a cottage a mansion
- a preposterous attempt to turn back the pages of history
- her conceited assumption of universal interest in her rather dull children was ridiculous