preposterous
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for preposterous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Utterly absurd or unreasonable; going against common sense.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use preposterous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a preposterous claim
utterly preposterous
Etymology
From Latin praeposterus, literally "with the back part before" — combining prae- ("before") and posterus ("coming after"), describing something back-to-front or upside down.
Full origin of preposterous →Frequently asked questions
What does “preposterous” mean?
The word “preposterous” means utterly absurd or unreasonable; going against common sense. In plain terms, so ridiculous or unreasonable that it's hard to take seriously.
How do you pronounce “preposterous”?
“Preposterous” is pronounced prih-POS-tuh-ruhs (/pɹəˈpɑstəɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “preposterous” in a sentence?
Here is “preposterous” used in a sentence: “It's preposterous to think we could finish the project in a single day.”
What part of speech is “preposterous”?
“Preposterous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “preposterous” come from?
The word “preposterous” comes from Latin. From Latin praeposterus, literally "with the back part before" — combining prae- ("before") and posterus ("coming after"), describing something back-to-front or upside down.
Is “preposterous” a common word?
“Preposterous” is an uncommon word in modern English.
