The meaning of KAFKAESQUE is of, relating to, or suggestive of Franz Kafka or his writings; especially : having a nightmarishly complex, bizarre, or illogical quality.

Kafkaesque is used to describe situations that are disorientingly and illogically complex in a surreal or nightmarish way. Kafkaesque comes from the name of author Franz Kafka, who lived from 1883 to …

You are in a Kafkaesque situation in which they say, "We believe you are a threat, but we won't tell you why you are a threat." "Handcuffs" is a Kafkaesque parable about paranoia and power.

Kafkaesque is an eponym from early-20th-century German-language writer Franz Kafka. It means (1) marked by surreal distortion or a sense of impending danger, or (2) of or relating to a nightmarish …

Apr 10, 2025 · It's difficult to imagine that there was ever a time without the word 'Kafkaesque.' Yet the term would have meant nothing at all to anyone alive at the same time as Franz Kafka — including, …

Definition of Kafkaesque adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. used to describe a situation that is confusing and frightening, especially one involving complicated official rules and …

Oct 10, 2024 · The term Kafkaesque has come to symbolize the absurdities of modern life—whether through bureaucracy, technology, or society at large. Kafka’s ability to capture feelings of …

Sep 18, 2025 · Kafkaesque (comparative more Kafkaesque, superlative most Kafkaesque) In the end, Jesus is not only a Kafkaesque, lonely, holy man, abandoned in his death and despised by his own …

Definition of 'Kafkaesque' Kafkaesque in American English (ˌkɑfkəˈɛsk ) adjective of, characteristic of, or like the writings of Kafka; specif., surreal, nightmarish, confusingly complex, etc.

Jun 14, 2025 · When something is described as “Kafkaesque,” it generally refers to a situation or experience that feels surreal, nightmarish, oppressive, or absurdly complicated—often due to overly …