preposterous

pre·pos·ter·ous

adj \pri-ˈpäs-t(ə-)rəs\

Definition of PREPOSTEROUS

: contrary to nature, reason, or common sense : absurd

— pre·pos·ter·ous·ly adverb

— pre·pos·ter·ous·ness noun

Examples of PREPOSTEROUS

1. The whole idea is preposterous!
2. <the idea that extraterrestrials built the pyramids is preposterous>

Origin of PREPOSTEROUS

Latin praeposterus, literally, in the wrong order, from prae- + posterus hinder, following — more at posterior

First Known Use: 1542

Related to PREPOSTEROUS

Synonyms: absurd, bizarre, crazy, fanciful, foolish, insane, nonsensical, fantastic, unreal, wild

Antonyms: realistic, reasonable

Related Words: implausible, inconceivable, incredible, unbelievable, unimaginable, unthinkable; extravagant, grotesque; bizarro, curious, eccentric, far-out, funny, kinky, kooky (also kookie), odd, outlandish, out-of-the-way, outré, peculiar, quaint, queer, queerish, quirky, screwy, strange, wacky (also whacky), way-out, weird; farcical, laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous; Alice-in-Wonderland, Kafkaesque, nightmarish; dreamlike, surreal

Near Antonyms: brainy, bright, clever, intelligent, smart; logical, rational, reasonable, valid; well-advised

see all synonyms and antonyms

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