as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
stray sightings of UFO's, none of which have been rigorously analyzed by scientists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to trespass
to commit an offense
our straying son swears he's returned to the straight and narrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stray
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
The number of stray dog reports has declined in recent years.
—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Geraldo L. Cadava,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
Healthy, stray cats that are picked up and brought to the shelter will be turned away.
—
Eva Flowe
june 18,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stray
Adjective
Animal Control began receiving reports during the first week of June about an aggressive stray cat roaming the Glen Road area, according to a statement by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
The number of stray dog reports has declined in recent years.
—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Verb
Over the decades the O’odham placed some barbed wire along the border to keep livestock from straying into the neighboring country, limiting the spread of maladies such as foot-and-mouth disease and hindering cattle thieves.
—
Geraldo L. Cadava,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
Healthy, stray cats that are picked up and brought to the shelter will be turned away.
—
Eva Flowe
june 18,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
Adjective
-
Thankfully, there are self-aware jabs as well, and it’s all couched in a character- and ensemble-centric ending that has hearty portions that help the random sour bite go down smoothly.
-
Their choice of 14er was not random.
Verb
-
Instead of Cady as rapist, Cape Fear seems to be going for a general theme of Cady as violator, someone who is trespassing not singularly on a female body but on the Bowdens’ trustworthiness.
-
The government has no place to trespass on a founding principle of this nation.
Adjective
-
Friday, a weakening ridge and an approaching front will allow scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop.
-
Share a draft, then ask a focused question so collaborators offer helpful edits rather than scattered opinions.
Verb
-
Lightweight, packable flats are an underrated cruise wardrobe MVP, and these Skechers Bobs slip on in a second for everything from casual deck days to wandering the promenade after dinner.
-
But people who spend time around livestock — including kids who visit relatives’ ranches, ride at lesson barns or wander the Stockyards on a weekend — should know what an infestation looks like and report anything unusual to a veterinarian.
Adjective
-
For at least a decade, federal agents followed guidelines designed to prevent arbitrary civil immigration arrests of people at courthouses.
-
Some media outlets, however, reported that some of those detained were politicians or activists, leading to allegations of arbitrary detentions.
Verb
-
So far, Milei has defended his Cabinet chief, even as the scandal damaged his government’s public image, constrained his political leverage in negotiations with allies and undermined his communication about spending cuts to Argentines scraping by on salaries that increasingly fall behind inflation.
-
As opposed to the first film, where a good girl falls for a bad boy, the sequel turns the concept upside down, with Pfeiffer playing the bad girl who falls for a good boy.
Cite this Entry
“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
