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 Most, if not all, AI design is slop nonsense thrown together in an instant. — Clio Chang, Curbed, 22 June 2026 Some beer companies even make canned versions of the drink, but forget that nonsense — there is nothing better than a fresh, handmade michelada. — Richard Guzman, Daily News, 24 June 2026 Until recently, that would have sounded like absolute nonsense. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 30 June 2026 Even Hauser can’t rescue this culturally insensitive, stereotype-perpetuating nonsense. — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 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
  • Decomposing food can release hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas synonymous with landfills and garbage.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Epidemics, worsened by the unsanitary conditions caused by the mountains of garbage the government has stopped collecting, combine with the shortage of medicines and the dire state of medical facilities.
    — Sarah Moreno July 1, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of garbage
Noun
  • 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
  • Read a book and sip tea in front of the central fireplace, swim between the indoor and outdoor sections of the glimmering pool, and soak your aching quads in the hot tubs under the evergreens and aspens while listening to the peaceful babble of Gore Creek.
    — Sarah Kuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of babble
Noun
  • The silliness of that aspect of the story is baked into this interpretation, with several very meta acknowledgments.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026
  • No, no jersey burnings or any of that silliness in the wake of Antetokounmpo working his way out of Milwaukee.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 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
  • 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
  • So where does the rubbish come from?
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
Definition of rubbish
Noun
  • Emmys season is about ot begin, and with it, a slew of contenders destined for nominations and memorialization by way of snubs chatter.
    — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
  • There is a lot of chatter out there on the interwebs about who will and won’t be in the house for Big Brother season 28.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Definition of chatter
Noun
  • Granola One of the original ‘health foods,’ granola contains many nutritious ingredients, such as oats, nuts, and seeds.
    — Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 4 July 2026
  • California's Central Valley, stretching some 20,000 square miles (51,800 square kilometers), is an agricultural powerhouse that's estimated to produce 40% of the nation's fruits, nuts and other table foods, including most of its nectarines.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of nuts
Noun
  • Once talkies came into play, though, the Minions — who can only communicate with each other in nonsensical gibberish — quickly find themselves out of work.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • With its collaborations now stretching to Japan, via Nintendo, a globalization defines Illumination — fitting given the international word salad gibberish of the Minions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 June 2026
Definition of gibberish

Browse Nearby Words

nonsensational
nonsense
nonsensical
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Cite this Entry

“Nonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonsense. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of nonsense for Spanish Speakers

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