preposterous

adjective

pri-ˈpä-st(ə-)rəs How to pronounce preposterous (audio)
Definition of preposterousnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preposterous As the story became an international sensation, theories toggled between the preposterous and the merely unlikely. — Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026 This sounds preposterous today, but the Dodgers had not won more games since 1988, the Kirk Gibson year. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 Fazio’s announcement undermined one more preposterous claim by the shrinking figure that is Diamantis. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026 During his first tenure, Verrett represented the very type of behavior Magnus had spent the past few years weeding out, including deranged posts, unprofessional direct messages to reporters, and preposterous race talk. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preposterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preposterous
  1. absurd
  2. silly
  3. ridiculous
  4. bizarre
  5. foolish
  6. pathetic
  7. unreal
  8. stupid
Adjective
  • This episode notably lacked any nod to Trump, though mentions of the president as a whole have been brief compared to the previous season, when the president was the show’s focal point for absurd antics.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • And Saturday’s win proved that his plan to pursue championships — something that seemed absurd amid a lost 2025 season — has a real possibility of paying off with one.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of absurd
Adjective
  • But seeing my parents examining themselves in that way and connecting with people and putting themselves in vulnerable and silly and meaningful situations.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • That scene was always the silliest in the American version, and its absence in the international edition was a wise choice.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of silly
Adjective
  • Just two friends being completely ridiculous and enjoying life.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The casting was essential because the film only works if everyone commits completely to this ridiculous situation.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of ridiculous
Adjective
  • But at the center of this story is a man named Michael Organ who turns out to be a bizarre, seemingly dangerous conman.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Aside from spreading fear and anxiety through the agricultural labor force — which might be the point, if the hope is many will self-deport — the surge is having some other bizarre and probably unintended consequences.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • Soaking the suburbs over parking is reminiscent of other foolish, revenue-grabbing ideas, such as a congestion tax aimed at outsiders as a way to gin up money to cover Chicago’s ever-present budget black hole.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • With Oracle having lost more than $20 billion in stock-market value today, this appears to be penny-wise and pound foolish.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of foolish
Adjective
  • Haloed in distorted guitar and jagged synths, Wolf comes off as a champion of her own avoidance, her heroism charmingly pathetic.
    — Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The Chargers' offense mustered a pathetic 14 points all game.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of pathetic
Adjective
  • Even then, their triumph is far from assured; the climb becomes more unreal in its harshness.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The dark vision of what California is in the Musk-ian or Miller-ist worldview is unreal and inaccurate.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of unreal
Adjective
  • Doing so would be a stupid move for an Oval Office wannabe, one already hobbled by the progressive persona of the Golden State.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Republican Massachusetts Senate nominee John Deaton is not stupid.
    — Jon Keller, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of stupid

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Cite this Entry

“Preposterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preposterous. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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