Comparing the outrageous: "preposterous" vs. "ludicrous"

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 22/10/2024, 19:03

English.me team member

Preposterous and ludicrous. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "preposterous" and "ludicrous" are adjectives used to describe something that is absurd, ridiculous, or nonsensical. They both convey the idea of something that defies logic or reason.

What is different?

"Preposterous" often emphasizes the idea of something being contrary to reason or common sense, sometimes implying a reversal of order. "Ludicrous" usually highlights the laughable or foolish nature of something, often having a more humorous or lighthearted connotation.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Preposterous

The idea that cats can drive cars is simply preposterous.
His preposterous plan to build a skyscraper out of marshmallows was met with disbelief.
It's preposterous to think that she finished the marathon in under an hour.

Ludicrous

The suggestion that we could walk to the moon was ludicrous.
His ludicrous outfit made everyone at the party burst into laughter.
The movie was full of ludicrous plot twists that were hard to take seriously.