nonsense

noun

ˌnän-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce nonsense (audio)
Definition of nonsensenext
1
as in garbage
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense told the little brat to stop his mischievous nonsense and start behaving properly the discussion about building a time machine was complete nonsense a hundred years ago, the idea that man could walk on the moon was regarded as impractical nonsense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in babble
unintelligible or meaningless talk when you talk with your mouth full of food, everything just comes out as nonsense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 nonsense Because, of course, Phil Steele doesn’t have time to binge-watch some Netflix or Hulu nonsense. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 And there’s just so much nonsense, frankly, and fantastical — bear hunting can be dangerous. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026 The new rule should put a stop to such nonsense, as few coaches will want to risk going down to 10 players for a whole minute. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Law student Gemma Jay (Abbie Hern), recruited by the nonsense-intolerant Coach Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds), also joins the squad. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nonsense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonsense
  1. garbage
  2. babble
  3. silliness
  4. prattle
  5. rubbish
  6. chatter
  7. nuts
  8. gibberish
Noun
  • William Gottlieb’s suit also notes that Urban Zen hosts catered gatherings that generate food garbage, therefore creating fodder for the rats.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Once on the first floor, state police found that this area of the home was also cluttered with various things as well as large black garbage bags filled with unknown items, the search warrant said.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of garbage
Noun
  • Companies modelled after Mary Kay that have reprised empowerment babble for their founders’ gain are mentioned but receive scarce judgment.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
  • The film almost completely drops any and all scientific babble from the book in favor of character development, action sequences, and emotional gut punches.
    — Matthew Razak, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of babble
Noun
  • Despite the silliness, the episode does feature some very emotional moments for Spock.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Yet despite this unease, they are also shown with occasional silliness and wit, as well as an unexpected strength to their paradoxically porcelain-like bodies.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of silliness
Noun
  • The Korean Football Association was furious, responding to this juvenile, but ultimately harmless, prattle by boycotting the Korean press.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 24 June 2026
  • Some of the prattle can feel like treading water, a delaying tactic until the inevitable confrontation scene.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of prattle
Noun
  • This comes at the expense of no movement in the wrist, but to be fair, having the lightsaber pointed in any other direction would look rubbish.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Only construction waste will be accepted at the landfill such as, brush and rubbish, concrete, brick, rock, wood, paper, plastics, cardboard and roofing shingles and tiles.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Definition of rubbish
Noun
  • Tech Challenges While the chair’s speech and the sideline chatter about economic and political events frequently dominate news from the symposium, Jackson Hole is also an important forum for high level debate on economic research.
    — Maria Eloisa Capurro, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In a sprightly performance rife with oddball mannerisms, Gnecco gives Borges equal parts impish wisdom, earthy vulgarity and childlike wonder, rarely letting a moment’s silence go unfilled with eager chatter.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of chatter
Noun
  • White suggests nuts, popcorn, bite-size desserts, cheese boards, or, of course, nostalgic candy.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This is an uncomplicated yarn about a man prying open his heart and nudging other hard nuts to do the same.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of nuts
Noun
  • Dozens of countries’ names were misspelled or written in pure gibberish.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Dozens of other countries' names were misspelled or written in pure gibberish.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of gibberish

Browse Nearby Words

nonsensational
nonsense
nonsensical
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonsense. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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