absurd v. illogical v. preposterous v. ridiculous

[hhtt21]

I would like to understand the word preposterous in the sentence using it and its difference between some other words via using that sentence again.

Scenarios are a United States under rule of Germany and Japan and continuing slaveholding Confederacy.

1. "Both scenarios are preposterous". Is the original one
2. "Both scenarios are absurd."
3. "Both scenarios are illogical."
4. "Both scenarios are ridiculous."

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/opinion/hitler-britain-invasion.html

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

1, 2, and 4 are similar in meaning. Number 3 is different, though. Can you tell why?

 

[hhtt21]

1, 2, and 4 are similar in meaning. Number 3 is different, though. Can you tell why?

Unfortunately, I cannot say why.

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

Can you see a connection between the words "preposterous", "absurd" and "ridiculous"?

 

[hhtt21]

Can you see a connection between the words "preposterous", "absurd" and "ridiculous"?

Yes, they seemed similar to me. But I cannot distinguish between themself and between they and illogical.

Thank you.

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes, they seem similar to me. But I cannot distinguish between them and "illogical".

`

 

[hhtt21]

I would't worry about it. If you look at the definitions of all three of those words above, you will see that there is an element of "contrary to reason" in all three. Whomever you say or write this to isn't going to argue with you anyway. In addition, you may find it illogical where others might not see the lack of logic.

What do you mean by it in "you may find it" above?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

Whatever this unspecified scenario is, it's possible that you might think it is illogical but other people might not see it the same way.

 

[hhtt21]

Whatever this unspecified scenario is, it's possible that you might think it is illogical but other people might not see it the same way.

Yes, I understand it might be or might not be illogical but cannot somebody see it contrast of ridiculous/preposterous?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

I can see a difference. I think that "illogical" is the odd one out of those four.

 

[Lynxear]

Unfortunately, I cannot say why.

Thank you.

Think of it as a matter of "how much" or "matter of degree "to explain it in a simple manner.

1. What John did was illogical! (it means what John did was not the logical way of doing things, but it would not be particularly funny or inappropriate. The observer would be more puzzled than anything as to why John did it that way.)

2. What John did was ridiculous! (What John did was illogical, inappropriate or even funny and subject to ridicule by the observer.)

3. What John did was absurd! (What John did was wildly illogical, inappropriate, funny and perhaps disgusting to the observer.)

4. What John did was preposterous! ((What John did was so wildly illogical, inappropriate, funny or disgusting that it was beyond belief.)