Preposterous in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

Preposterous is an adjective meaning utterly absurd or contrary to common sense. To use preposterous in a sentence, attach it to the claim, plan or excuse that defies reason: “The idea that one bus could carry the whole team was preposterous.”

Preposterous at a glance

• Preposterous is an adjective; its adverb is preposterously and its rare noun is preposterousness.
• The core meaning is contrary to reason or common sense.
• It typically describes an idea, claim, plan, suggestion or price.
• It works both before a noun and after a linking verb such as be or seem.
• The commonest error is using it for something merely surprising rather than plainly unreasonable.

What does preposterous mean?

Preposterous is an adjective meaning contrary to reason or common sense, so it describes a claim or plan that is absurd enough to invite disbelief. The Cambridge entry for preposterous records the absurd sense. Where something is merely hard to believe rather than openly ridiculous, an implausible excuse is the milder word, because preposterous adds a clear note of mockery.

One limitation is worth stating plainly. Preposterous is a strong word, so it should not describe something that is only surprising, unusual or inconvenient. Calling a sensible proposal preposterous overstates the case and turns a disagreement into an insult, which is rarely the point.

How do you use preposterous in a sentence?

Preposterous works before a noun, as in a preposterous idea, and after a linking verb, as in the idea is preposterous. It often follows it is or it seems, because the judgement usually targets a whole belief rather than one object.

Preposterous in a sentence: examples across contexts

Preposterous keeps its force while the setting changes. The nine sentences below move from a classroom to a legal submission, and each one names the claim or plan that defies sense.

Preposterous vs absurd and ludicrous

Preposterous overlaps with absurd and ludicrous, yet each word leans on a different reaction. Absurd stresses pure illogic, ludicrous points at laughter, and preposterous stresses disbelief at a claim or plan.

Verdict: use absurd for pure illogic, ludicrous when laughter is the point, and preposterous when a claim or plan is so unreasonable that it invites disbelief. To call an excuse absurd is to find it illogical; to call it ludicrous is to laugh at it; to call it preposterous is to refuse to believe anyone said it.

Word forms and grammar of preposterous

Preposterous builds a small, regular family. It has an adverb and a rare noun, but no verb, and it never becomes a different adjective by adding a suffix.

The adverb preposterously usually modifies an adjective of size or degree, as in preposterously large. Preposterous itself is never a verb, so there is no such word as to preposterous, however tempting the pattern looks.

Common mistakes with preposterous

• Incorrect: He is a preposterous man. Correct: He made a preposterous claim. Rule: Preposterous judges a claim, plan or idea, not a whole person.
• Incorrect: The weather was preposterous yesterday. Correct: The downpour was unusually heavy. Rule: Save the word for something unreasonable, not merely surprising.
• Incorrect: That plan is a prepossessing idea. Correct: That is a preposterous idea. Rule: Prepossessing means attractive; preposterous means absurd, and the two are not related in meaning.
• Incorrect: The claim was preposterous of the manager. Correct: The manager made a preposterous claim. Rule: The adjective describes the thing, so of is not needed after it.
• Incorrect: It is preposterous that I disagree with you. Correct: It is preposterous to claim that the figures are complete. Rule: The word targets an unreasonable claim, not a simple disagreement.

Practice using preposterous

Work through the six items, then read the reasoning rather than only the key.

1. Fill the gap: It is ______ to promise delivery on the same afternoon.
2. Choose the better word: The story was strange but true, not (absurd / preposterous).
3. Correct the error: She gave a preposterous excuse of being late.
4. Build a sentence: use a preposterous about a price somebody charged.
5. Spot the register: which belongs in a formal report — the estimate was preposterous, or the estimate was totally nuts?
6. Rewrite with the adverb: The plan was large in a ridiculous way. Use preposterously instead.

Answers

1. preposterous — the blank needs the adjective that labels the promise as unreasonable.
2. preposterous — a true story cannot be contrary to reason, and the sentence wants no mockery.
3. She made a preposterous excuse for being late — the adjective describes the excuse, and the fixed phrase is an excuse for something.
4. Model answer: They charged a preposterous price for a single slice of cake.
5. The estimate was preposterous — a formal report keeps precise words and avoids slang.
6. The plan was preposterously large — the adverb modifies the adjective large.

The bottom line

Use preposterous in a sentence when a claim, plan or price is so contrary to common sense that it invites disbelief. The two details that decide most sentences are that it describes the thing rather than the person, and that it is stronger than merely surprising. Where the reaction is pure puzzlement, absurd is enough, and where the reaction is laughter, ludicrous is the sharper word.

Frequently asked questions about preposterous

Is preposterous a formal word?

It sits between neutral and formal. Preposterous appears in reports, reviews and essays, where a writer wants a firm judgement, and it also survives in lively speech, as in some preposterous excuse. Because it is emphatic, it sounds out of place in dry technical writing about ordinary measurements.

What is the noun form of preposterous?

The noun is preposterousness, meaning the quality of being absurd or contrary to reason. It is fairly rare, and many writers prefer a phrase such as the absurdity of the plan. The adverb is preposterously, as in preposterously expensive. There is no verb form, so to preposterous is not a word.

What is the difference between preposterous and absurd?

Both describe something contrary to reason, but preposterous is stronger and carries more disbelief. Absurd often answers a question of logic, as in an absurd argument. Preposterous usually targets a claim or plan that seems too unreasonable to be real, and it adds a shade of mockery that absurd can lack.

Can a person be preposterous?

Rarely, and it usually sounds like an insult. Preposterous normally describes a claim, plan or price rather than a person, so he made a preposterous demand is natural while he is preposterous is harsh. When writers do apply it to people, the effect is comic or contemptuous, not neutral.

Ever encountered a statement so utterly absurd and ridiculous that it defies all logic and reason? That’s exactly what we mean when we say preposterous. This adjective is used to describe something completely nonsensical or wildly unbelievable.

When someone makes a preposterous claim or suggestion, they are putting forth an idea that is so outlandish and unreasonable that it is difficult to take seriously. It’s often used in informal conversations as a way to express disbelief or convey how utterly ridiculous something seems.

7 Examples Of Preposterous Used In a Sentence For Kids

1. Lions wearing hats is preposterous.
2. Elephants flying in the sky is preposterous.
3. Fish riding bicycles is preposterous.
4. Trees dancing in the rain is preposterous.
5. Cats driving cars is preposterous.
6. Penguins playing cricket is preposterous.
7. Monkeys wearing glasses is preposterous.

14 Sentences with Preposterous Examples

• Preposterous! I can’t believe our professor expects us to read three textbooks in one week.
• It’s preposterous that the canteen raised the prices of all the food items overnight.
• It’s preposterous how long the line is at the photocopying machine during exam season.
• Preposterous that the library is closed on Sundays, that’s when most students need it the most.
• It’s preposterous that we have to pay for every single sheet we print in the computer lab.
• I find it preposterous that the administration is planning to increase the hostel fees again next semester.
• It’s preposterous how strict the attendance rules are in some of our classes.
• Preposterous that the Wi-Fi in the campus dormitories goes down every weekend without fail.
• It’s preposterous how much we have to pay for textbooks every semester.
• Preposterous that we have to submit all our assignments online but the website crashes every time a deadline approaches.
• I think it’s preposterous that the timings for the library are so limited, especially during exams.
• It’s preposterous how difficult it is to get a seat in the library during peak study hours.
• I find it preposterous that some professors still insist on giving handwritten exams in this digital age.
• Preposterous that the student council is planning to ban late-night study sessions in the common rooms.

How To Use Preposterous in Sentences?

To preposterous is to use a word in a way that seems to imply a contradiction or illogicality. Here is a simple guide on how to use preposterous in a sentence for beginners:

1. Understand the meaning: Before using the word preposterous, make sure you understand its definition. Preposterous means contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous.

2. Choose the right context: Use preposterous when you want to emphasize that something is utterly absurd or ridiculous.

3. Create a sentence: Construct a sentence where the absurdity of the situation is clear. For example, “It is preposterous to think that pigs can fly.”

4. Emphasize the absurdity: When using preposterous, it’s important to convey a sense of disbelief or incredulity. You can do this by using appropriate punctuation or tone of voice in speech.

5. Practice using the word: To become more comfortable with using preposterous, try using it in different contexts or discussing absurd scenarios with friends or family.

6. Expand your vocabulary: As you become more familiar with using preposterous, explore other synonyms or related words to enhance your language skills.

Remember that using preposterous in a sentence can be a fun way to express disbelief or highlight absurdity. Practice using the word in different scenarios to become more proficient in your language skills.

Conclusion

In assessing the examples of sentences with “preposterous,” it becomes evident that this word is used to describe ideas or statements that are absurd, unreasonable, or utterly ridiculous. Whether it’s a claim about aliens living among us or a proposal for monkeys to pilot airplanes, the term “preposterous” is employed to highlight the sheer improbability or foolishness of a notion. The word serves as a strong indicator of disbelief and emphasizes the lack of credibility or logic in a given assertion.

By examining these sentences, we can observe how “preposterous” is a forceful adjective that conveys a sense of incredulity and skepticism. It signals that the idea being described is not just far-fetched, but downright nonsensical. Ultimately, the use of “preposterous” helps to emphasize the absurdity and impracticality of certain concepts, prompting readers to question and dismiss such outlandish claims.