• "Obsurd" is the incorrect spelling of "Absurd."
  • "Absurd" refers to something that is extremely unreasonable, illogical, or incongruous to the point of being nonsensical or irrational.
For example...

❌ It was utterly obsurd to believe that a goldfish could successfully complete a marathon, but the eccentric inventor was determined to test his outlandish theory.

✅ It was utterly absurd to believe that a goldfish could successfully complete a marathon, but the eccentric inventor was determined to test his outlandish theory.

In the previous sentence, "absurd" describes the idea or theory that a goldfish could successfully complete a marathon as being extremely unreasonable, illogical, and incongruous with reality. The notion of a goldfish participating in a marathon is considered absurd because it goes against common sense and the inherent limitations of a goldfish's abilities.

For a non-native speaker, "absurd" refers to something that is incredibly illogical, unreasonable, or contrary to common sense. When we say an idea, situation, or statement is absurd, it means that it is so impractical or outlandish that it goes against what we would normally expect or consider rational. It often involves a sense of being utterly ridiculous or nonsensical, causing disbelief or amusement due to its extreme departure from reality or logical reasoning. In essence, "absurd" is used to describe things that are so far-fetched or illogical that they defy the usual rules or expectations, often leading to a reaction of surprise, confusion, or amusement.

Examining the graph below, you can see that there is huge difference in the frequency of use between "absurd" and "obsurd." The word "absurd" has had an upwards streak in use since the 2000s.

Obsurd vs. Absurd: Which is Correct?

Why would absurd be misspelled as obsurd?

The misspelling of "absurd" as "obsurd" could be due to a typographical error or a mistake in the process of writing or typing. The letters "a" and "o" are adjacent on a standard QWERTY keyboard, and a simple slip of the finger or a momentary lapse in attention could lead to the incorrect spelling. Additionally, misspellings can sometimes occur due to phonetic similarities, where the pronunciation of the word might be more associated with the letter "o" in the mind of the individual, leading to the unintentional substitution of letters. Spelling errors are common in language, and they can happen to both native and non-native speakers.

Enlist the help of an AI proofreader to review your written work for any misspellings.

Other common misspellings

Below are other common misspellings of "absurd," other than "obsurd."

  1. Abzurd
  2. Absurdh
  3. Absurd
  4. Absurd
  5. Absord
  6. Abserd

Example sentences of the misspelling of absurd as obsurd

Below are example sentences highlighting that “obsurd” is not the right spelling.

  1. The correct spelling is "absurd," not "obsurd."
  2. There seems to be a mistake in your spelling; it should be "absurd," not "obsurd."
  3. I believe you meant to write "absurd" instead of "obsurd."
  4. Just a quick correction: the proper spelling is "absurd," not "obsurd."
  5. I think there might be a typo; it's "absurd," not "obsurd."

Example sentences for absurd

  1. The idea that pigs might fly is utterly absurd.
  2. His excuse for being late was so absurd that nobody believed him.
  3. The absurd regulations made it nearly impossible for small businesses to thrive.
  4. Watching a cat try to play the piano may seem absurd, but it's actually quite entertaining.
  5. The absurdity of the situation became apparent when they realized they were arguing over a fictional character.
  6. The policy of charging extra for sunlight in the office seemed absurd to the employees.
  7. The absurd amount of paperwork required for such a simple task frustrated everyone involved.
  8. The comedian's routine was filled with absurd jokes that had the audience in fits of laughter.
  9. It's absurd to think that a single person could solve such a complex global issue.
  10. The plot of the science fiction movie was so absurd that it became a cult classic.

Synonyms for absurd

  1. Ridiculous
  2. Preposterous
  3. Illogical
  4. Nonsensical
  5. Unreasonable
  6. Incongruous
  7. Irrational
  8. Ludicrous
  9. Outlandish
  10. Laughable

Want to sound like a native speaker?

Engram’s AI-powered grammar checker makes your English sound like a native speaker’s, suggesting natural English expressions on top of fixing grammar, spelling, punctuation, word order, and vocabulary.

Free ChatGPT-Powered Grammar Checker | Engram
Use Engram’s free grammar checker, powered by ChatGPT, to fix your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word usage errors
Obsurd vs. Absurd: Which is Correct?

References:

Definition of ABSURD
ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous : extremely silly or ridiculous; having no rational or orderly relationship to human life : meaningless; also : lacking order or value; dealing with the absurd or with absurdism… See the full definition