nonsensical

adjective

Definition of nonsensicalnext
1
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality a nonsensical decision that didn't take account of all of the facts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silly
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment your plan to lose weight through total starvation is completely nonsensical

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 nonsensical But the actors are reduced to joke machines trapped in a nonsensical nonplot, and while some of those gags yield laughs, a far greater number fall flat. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026 Sophia’s actual actions are just sort of random and nonsensical. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 The liberal dissenters agreed with immigration rights lawyers who saw this as a nonsensical reading of the law. — Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026 That’s nothing more than a nonsensical, demonizing political narrative spewed by left-wing politicians and their brethren in the progressive chattering class. — Michael Zais, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 Measuring Sanskrit-era medicine by modern Western standards is obviously hard, if not nonsensical. — Horatio Clare, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026 Since its premiere in 1981, the musical has built a reputation for being notoriously nonsensical. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2026 After days of speculation regarding their attempts to move into the first round, the Pelicans sat out the first day a year after moving their 2026 first-round pick to the Hawks in a truly nonsensical move. — Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 26 June 2026 Popularized by a beer commercial during the 1986 World Cup, it’s used to rally on teams with its repetitive (albeit nonsensical) syllables as well as its upbeat ending. — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonsensical
  1. absurd
  2. silly
  3. bizarre
  4. stupid
  5. foolish
  6. insane
  7. unreal
  8. crazy
Adjective
  • The 41-year-old is still an elite NBA player, which is still an absurd reality to consider.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • The thesis rests on a claim that would have sounded absurd a year ago.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of absurd
Adjective
  • Every player with a pulse had six suitors throwing silly money around.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • Some scenes in the movie are light and silly, including those pairing Maddie with a lesbian friend, played by Kate Berlant, who clearly loves her.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 30 June 2026
Definition of silly
Adjective
  • When this place is eventually gone — a phrase that feels truly bizarre given the environment this summer and the half-century preceding it — the lasting images will be the seas of red.
    — Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • Continue reading … 'DEEPLY WEIRD' — CNN panel's bizarre 'read as Jewish' comment about a senator draws fierce blowback.
    — , FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • And no, that was NOT OutKick or FOX who wrote that stupid headline.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The thing about House of the Dragon is that everything really is quite stupid.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • Comparing Young’s new deal to any extension for Davis would be a foolish exercise.
    — Josh Robbins, New York Times, 30 June 2026
  • Further, Plato’s disdain for Gorgias, Antisthenes’ first teacher, and sophistry in general is clear; in the Platonic dialogue Gorgias, the titular character is made out to be rather foolish.
    — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of foolish
Adjective
  • For example, Fred Again is absolutely doing insane things with the MPC Lives.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 30 June 2026
  • That dwarfs anything the powerhouse Spain teams did in the early 2010s, when the team was known for stringing together an insane number of passes that led to a goal.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2026
Definition of insane
Adjective
  • These digital technologies have also created an echo chamber of self-confirming views, which has contributed to an unreal, simplified view of a nuanced, messy world.
    — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • The air is fresh and clean, the pace is calm, and the views are unreal.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026
Definition of unreal
Adjective
  • That crazy gorgeous Bad Man Blue, and something Harley has called Inferno Gray with Wet Slide Graphics.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
  • But in addition to these crazy moments and plots, what the World Cup does every four years is put a bright spotlight on the best soccer players in the world.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2026
Definition of crazy

Browse Nearby Words

nonsense
nonsensical
nonsensicalness
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Cite this Entry

“Nonsensical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonsensical. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of nonsensical for Spanish Speakers

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