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preposterous

Adjective

IPA /prɪˈpɒstərəs/

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Meaning in plain English

So unreasonable or absurd that it is difficult to take seriously, especially when the idea makes you annoyed or shocked.

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Pronunciation

preposterous/prɪˈpɒstərəs/

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An ordinary bottle of water is for sale
Its price is absurdly high
The buyer finds the charge unreasonable

A preposterous price seems so unreasonable that it provokes disbelief or annoyance.

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Examples in context

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It is preposterous to charge that much for a bottle of water.
The tutor rejected the preposterous claim that the essay needed no evidence.

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It is ________ to charge that much for a bottle of water.

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preposterous — So unreasonable or absurd that it is difficult to take seriously, especially when the idea makes you annoyed or shocked.

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So unreasonable or absurd that it is difficult to take seriously, especially when the idea makes you annoyed or shocked.

Compare: It is preposterous to charge that much for a bottle of water.

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Word origin

From Latin praeposterus, meaning reversed or absurd, formed from elements meaning before and coming after.

Did you know?

Preposterous often describes a claim, suggestion or idea that someone considers completely unreasonable.

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