reductio ad absurdum

noun

re·duc·tio ad ab·sur·dum | \ ri-ˈdək-tē-ˌō-ˌad-əb-ˈsər-dəm

, -ˈdək-sē-ō-, -shē-, -ˈzər-\

Definition of reductio ad absurdum

1 : disproof of a proposition by showing an absurdity to which it leads when carried to its logical conclusion

2 : the carrying of something to an absurd extreme

Recent Examples on the Web

But believe it or not, this reductio ad absurdum has caused major drama at the Indigenous Music Awards in Winnipeg. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The Canadians Who Didn’t Say ‘Sorry’," 12 Apr. 2019 Consider the logic of her reductio ad absurdum conclusion. — Daniel Henninger, WSJ, "Gun Control After Las Vegas," 4 Oct. 2017

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