: a philosophy based on the belief that the universe is irrational and meaningless and that the search for order brings the individual into conflict with the universe compare existentialism

Examples of absurdism in a Sentence

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Amid a national cinema that has become internationally recognized for perverse plotting and deadpan absurdism, writer-director Alexis Alexiou‘s third feature stands out for its stark storytelling and earnest emotional intensity. Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026 In fact, while Grozeva and Valchanov are profoundly grounded in their north Balkan homeland, there’s a lot of sensibility overlap here with the absurdism of the Greek Weird Wave of 2010s. Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026 But the absurdism matters less than the ability to be silly together, as this is a deeply intimate act. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 At times, the tonal clash introduced by those pops of ultra-modernity borders on absurdism. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for absurdism

Word History

Etymology

absurd entry 1 + -ism (probably after French absurdisme)

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absurdism was in 1946

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Cite this Entry

“Absurdism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absurdism. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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