different between preposterous vs senseless

English

Alternative forms

• præposterous (archaic)

Etymology

From Latin praeposterus (“with the hinder part before, reversed, inverted, perverted”), from prae (“before”) + posterus (“coming after”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /p???p?st???s/, /p???p?st??s/, /p??-/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /p???p?st???s/, /p???p?st??s/

Adjective

preposterous (comparative more preposterous, superlative most preposterous)

1. Absurd, or contrary to common sense.
   • 2016 January 30, "America deserves more from presidential hopefuls," The National (retrieved 31 January 2016):

     Democrats, too, must be criticised. While they have not made preposterous statements or been threatening or demagogic, they, all too often, have come up short, failing to propose new ideas that can help unwind conflicts raging across the Middle East.

Synonyms

• absurd
• foolish
• irrational
• nonsensical
• See also Thesaurus:absurd

Translations

See also

• topsy-turvy
• upside down

Further reading

• preposterous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• preposterous in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

English

Etymology

From sense +? -less. Compare Saterland Frisian sinloos (“senseless, foolish”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?s?nsl?s/
• Hyphenation: sense?less

Adjective

senseless (comparative more senseless, superlative most senseless)

1. Without feeling or consciousness; deprived of sensation.

   The blow to his head rendered him senseless, he didn't awaken until he was in the ambulance.

   Synonyms: unconscious, insensible

2. Lacking meaning or purpose; without common sense.

   What a senseless waste of money.

   Synonyms: pointless, meaningless

3. Without a discernible meaning or purpose, especially of a violent or evil act.

   The school shooting was a senseless act of violence.

4. Without consideration, awareness or sound judgement

   He took senseless risks, not even aware of the danger he was in.

   Synonyms: unreasonable, unwise, stupid

Related terms

• sense
• senseful
• senselessly
• senselessness

Translations

See also

• (deprived of sensation): ageusia, analgesia, anosmia, blind, deaf, hypoesthesia, numbness, paralysis

References

• senseless in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• senseless in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.