Illogical: meaning, definitions and examples

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illogical

 

[ ɪˈlɒdʒɪkəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

in reasoning

Not logical; contrary to or disregardful of the rules of logic; unreasoned

Synonyms

absurd, irrational, unreasonable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
illogical

Used to describe something that doesn't follow logical reasoning or makes no sense intellectually.

  • His argument was completely illogical and couldn't be supported by any evidence.
  • It's illogical to expect to get a good grade without studying.
irrational

Refers to behavior or thoughts that don't align with reason or logic, often driven by emotions or misconceptions.

  • Her fear of cats is completely irrational.
  • Making decisions based on superstition can lead to irrational choices.
unreasonable

Describes demands, expectations, or actions that are not fair or sensible, often used when someone is being overly demanding or unfair.

  • It's unreasonable to expect employees to work 16 hours a day.
  • His refusal to compromise was completely unreasonable.
absurd

Employed to indicate something that is ridiculously unreasonable, funny, or nonsensical, often highlighting the extreme nature of the situation.

  • The idea of planting flowers on the moon is simply absurd.
  • His suggestion to solve the problem was so absurd that no one took it seriously.

Examples of usage

  • It is illogical to assume that all teenagers are lazy.
  • His argument was completely illogical and full of contradictions.
Context #2 | Adjective

in a situation

Not sensible or reasonable in a particular situation

Synonyms

foolish, nonsensical, unwise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
illogical

Use this word when referring to something that does not follow reason or clear thinking. It is often used in formal or academic contexts.

  • Her argument was illogical and lacked supporting evidence.
  • The decision to cut funding for education is illogical.
nonsensical

This word works well when you want to express that something is completely absurd or makes no sense. It is often used in informal contexts.

  • His explanation for being late was utterly nonsensical.
  • The plot of that movie is so nonsensical that it's hard to follow.
foolish

This word is suitable when describing someone or something behaving in an unwise or silly manner. It is often used in a critical or reprimanding tone.

  • It was foolish of him to ignore the weather warnings.
  • Buying that expensive gadget without checking reviews was a foolish move.
unwise

Employ this word when you want to describe a decision or action that lacks wisdom or good judgment. It is often used in a more serious or formal tone.

  • It was unwise to invest all your savings into a single stock.
  • Talking back to the boss was an unwise choice.

Examples of usage

  • It would be illogical to go for a swim in this weather.
  • Her decision to quit her job without a backup plan seemed illogical.

Translations

Translations of the word "illogical" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ilógico

🇮🇳 अतार्किक

🇩🇪 unlogisch

🇮🇩 tidak logis

🇺🇦 нелогічний

🇵🇱 nielogiczny

🇯🇵 非論理的な (ひろんりてきな)

🇫🇷 illogique

🇪🇸 ilógico

🇹🇷 mantıksız

🇰🇷 비논리적인

🇸🇦 غير منطقي

🇨🇿 nelogický

🇸🇰 nelogický

🇨🇳 不合逻辑的 (bùhé luójí de)

🇸🇮 nelogičen

🇮🇸 órökréttur

🇰🇿 логикаға сай емес

🇬🇪 ალოგიკური

🇦🇿 məntiqsiz

🇲🇽 ilógico

Etymology

The word 'illogical' originated from the combination of the prefix 'il-' meaning 'not' and the word 'logical'. It first appeared in the early 19th century. The concept of logic has been studied and developed by philosophers and thinkers for centuries, leading to the creation of words like 'illogical' to describe thoughts or arguments that do not follow the principles of logic.

See also: illogicality, illogically, logical, logicality, logically.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,451, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.