Definitions

preposterous

[pri-pos-ter-uhs, -truhs] / prɪˈpɒs tər əs, -trəs /

ADJECTIVE

ridiculous, bizarre

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absurd crazy excessive fantastic foolish impossible incredible insane irrational laughable ludicrous nonsensical outrageous senseless shocking silly stupid unbelievable unreasonable unthinkable

WEAK

asinine exorbitant extravagant extreme far-out harebrained monstrous out of the question taking the cake thick too much unusual wacky wild

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bad balanced believable credible good intelligent logical plain plausible poor possible practical rational realistic reasonable responsible sane sensible serious smart sound tenable wise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He posits that all the various forms of our modern alienation are connected, drawing throughlines that are both preposterous and incisive as he shows his work.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

It’s preposterous to think that, even with the best of intentions on both sides, a peace as complicated as this could have been settled in one day.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

David Hamilton said he could no longer trust the government to handle some files "unsupervised" after being given "preposterous and unacceptable" excuses for not complying with his orders.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Written by Matthew Parkhill, with Guy Ritchie — who directed Robert Downey Jr. in two steroidal Holmes films — helming some episodes, it’s pulpy and nutty and preposterous, mostly in a good way.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

Perhaps there was something in Newlands’s manner of presentation, but the idea was considered fundamentally preposterous and widely mocked.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Vocabulary lists containing preposterous

Holes

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"The Hunger Games" Vocabulary from Chapter 1

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