Kafkaesque

"Kafkaesque" describes situations that are surreal, oppressive, and confusing, often involving complex bureaucracy or irrational authority. It stems from the works of Franz Kafka, who depicted characters trapped in nightmarish, illogical systems beyond their control. In everyday language, it refers to experiences where individuals feel powerless, bewildered, or caught in an incomprehensible web of rules and procedures that seem purposefully perplexing or hostile. This term captures the unsettling sense of navigating a distorted reality, often highlighting themes of alienation and helplessness within bureaucratic or institutional settings.