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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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
The Leafs took four penalties in that period alone — a preposterous amount in a game carrying these kinds of stakes.
—
Chris Johnston, New York Times, 12 May 2025
The women in Trollope’s work seem to understand how curtailed their lives are, and their behavior—as the pet of their husband or of their father—is calibrated in response to the preposterous conditions of being a woman in the nineteenth century.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2025
That was a fun, if preposterous movie, but it was actually based on the 1975 Japanese thriller Bullet Train.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
In terms of achievements that were once equally preposterous and inconceivable 30 years ago, TCU reaching the Sweet 16 in women’s basketball is on the same level as the school making the national title game in football.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Chris Johnston, New York Times, 12 May 2025
The women in Trollope’s work seem to understand how curtailed their lives are, and their behavior—as the pet of their husband or of their father—is calibrated in response to the preposterous conditions of being a woman in the nineteenth century.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2025
That was a fun, if preposterous movie, but it was actually based on the 1975 Japanese thriller Bullet Train.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
In terms of achievements that were once equally preposterous and inconceivable 30 years ago, TCU reaching the Sweet 16 in women’s basketball is on the same level as the school making the national title game in football.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preposterous
Adjective
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One thing that’s been a challenge to satirists in the last 10 years is that reality has become so absurd, with the dumbest possible things happening every day, that there doesn’t always seem to be another level for satire to go to.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
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Read it because existence is absurd, and laughter might be the most intelligent response available.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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If a couple players on the Dodgers can make a silly comment, so can the owner of the Yankees.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
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The artwork is silly and exaggerated to capture youngsters’ attention.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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The 30-year-old actor’s longevity is clearly due to his willingness to fully commit to his characters, no matter how ridiculous.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
27 May 2025
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As Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt looped a single over the infield and into short right, the sublime gave way to ridiculous.—
Denver Post,
Denver Post,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Joining me is my Staten Island brother, Pete Davidson, who unveils a darker, dramatic side as his character navigates a bizarre group of residents in an old age home.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
29 May 2025
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But inexplicably, Villa contrived to lose the game, thanks in no small part to goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s sending off in the first half for a bizarre body-check on Rasmus Hojlund.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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To write off the Israeli leader would be foolish, especially with new elections not required until late 2026.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
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His writing is so human—his people are foolish in such human ways.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Anyone who tells you different is a liar (and pathetic, and alone in life).—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2025
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The politicized fantasy and horror films by Ryan Coogler and Jordan Peele are merely pathetic.—
Armond White,
National Review,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Your support has been unreal all season… — Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) May 29, 2025 The season came to a disappointing end in a 4-1 series loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals, but these Timberwolves have redefined what qualifies as disappointment.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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The company’s Data Center division brought in an almost unreal $39.1 billion in the first quarter, up 10% from the previous quarter and up 73% from a year ago.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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This is just stupid how successful this is, but that’s really underselling it.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 May 2025
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Camp, stupid, joyful—to both own and access—Labubu has taken over.—
Lara Johnson-Wheeler,
Vogue,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preposterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preposterous. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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