t-minded_ either through intense concentration
or simply through inattention, with fitful and aimless wandering of
thought. Compare ABSTRACT.

Antonyms:

alert, on hand, ready, wide-awake.
attentive, prompt, thoughtful,

* * * * *

ABSURD.

Synonyms:

anomalous, ill-considered, ludicrous, ridiculous,
chimerical, ill-judged, mistaken, senseless,
erroneous, inconclusive, monstrous, stupid,
false, incorrect, nonsensical, unreasonable,
foolish, infatuated, paradoxical, wild.
ill-advised, irrational, preposterous,

That is _absurd_ which is contrary to the first principles of reasoning;
as, that a part should be greater than the whole is _absurd_. A
_paradoxical_ statement appears at first thought contradictory or
_absurd_, while it may be really true. Anything is _irrational_ when
clearly contrary to sound reason, _foolish_ when contrary to practical
good sense, _silly_ when petty and contemptible in its folly,
_erroneous_ when containing error that vitiates the result,
_unreasonable_ when there seems a perverse bias or an intent to go
wrong. _Monstrous_ and _preposterous_ refer to what is overwhelmingly
_absurd_; as, "_O monstrous!_ eleven buckram men grown out of two,"
SHAKESPEARE _1 King Henry IV_, act ii, sc. 4. The _ridiculous_ or the
_nonsensical_ is worthy only to be laughed at. The lunatic's claim to be
a king is _ridiculous_; the Mother Goose rimes are _nonsensical_.
Compare INCONGRUOUS.

Antonyms:

certain, incontrovertible, rational, substantial,
consistent, indisputable, reasonable, true,
demonstrable, indubitable, sagacious, undeniable,
demonstrated, infallible, sensible, unquestionable,
established, logical, sound, wise.
incontestable,

* * * * *

ABUSE.

Synonyms:

aggrieve, impose on _or_ oppress, ruin,
damage, upon, persecute, slander,
defame, injure, pervert, victimize,
defile, malign, prostitute, vilify,
disparage, maltreat, rail at, violate,
harm, misemploy, ravish, vituperate,
ill-treat, misuse, reproach, wrong.
ill-use, molest, revile,

_Abuse_ covers all unreasonable or improper use or treatment by word or
act. A tenant does not _abuse_ rented prope