absurdist

adjective

ab·​surd·​ist əb-ˈsər-dist 

-ˈzər-

: of, relating to, or characterized by the absurd or by absurdism : absurd

absurdist literature

an absurdist sense of humor

absurdist noun

Examples of absurdist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Saddled with terrible reviews and negative word-of-mouth, Tom Cruise‘s absurdist dark comedy has cratered at the box office with $8 million in North America and $20 million globally in its first weekend of release. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

The film examines urbanism and architecture and lives up to its title by chronicling the history of concrete in an absurdist fashion (Wilson tries to make the film in the style of a Hallmark movie). — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026

Director Josef Kubota Wladyka illustrates the pluses and minuses of Haru’s potent imagination, resulting in a film that’s sexy, bittersweet and absurdist. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

That show includes animation and sketches as well as absurdist act-outs and character portraits, like Patel’s parody of one-man shows. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

absurd entry 1 + -ist entry 1 (probably after French absurdiste)

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above