1
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
a number of uncanny parallels in the lives of the twins who had been separated at birth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in superhuman
being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature
an uncanny gift for knowing when someone, no matter how distant, needed help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in eerie
fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic
uncanny and unexpected shadows along the mountainsides
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 uncanny
The Panthers have shown an uncanny ability to bounce back.
—
Mike Kaye
december 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
Even as the technology advances, the uncanny valley remains a stubborn barrier.
—Josh Rottenberg, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
Like so many humanoids, Apollo exemplifies the uncanny, hyperreal nature of modern robotics, simultaneously an image from science fiction and a real, tangible machine.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Throughout his career, Van Sant has had an uncanny knack for working with actors who are about to explode into a bigger realm of stardom because of their collaboration with him.
—Scott Huver, Variety, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncanny
Mike Kaye
december 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
Even as the technology advances, the uncanny valley remains a stubborn barrier.
—Josh Rottenberg, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
Like so many humanoids, Apollo exemplifies the uncanny, hyperreal nature of modern robotics, simultaneously an image from science fiction and a real, tangible machine.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Throughout his career, Van Sant has had an uncanny knack for working with actors who are about to explode into a bigger realm of stardom because of their collaboration with him.
—Scott Huver, Variety, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncanny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncanny
Adjective
-
Not to mention the titular bugs, a swarm of blood-invading creatures discovered by her new lover, the mysterious drifter Peter Evans (Namir Smallwood).—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Columbus, Ohio, police chief is speaking out for the first time since the mysterious murders of dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique Tepe.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The near-term threat is not superhuman machines but the decline of thinking, feeling, and social humans.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
-
McHale stars as Frank Shaw, an overqualified, over-opinionated Animal Control officer who has an almost superhuman ability to understand animals.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
28 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The leaps in time have the eerie effect of effacing time—the layered succession of images implying their simultaneity in Lidia’s mind.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The absence of noise left Juszczyk with an eerie sense of displacement.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
By contrast, fringe subcultures operate in a more cryptic and chaotic manner.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Heeding these cryptic words some three decades later, the audacious (and well-read) impresario Tony Wilson opened the Haçienda together with the circle of post-punk musicians and designers involved with his label, Factory Records.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The result was a last-second, half-court heave from Miller that hit nothing but net for a miraculous 77-76 Mustangs win at Moody Coliseum.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The 13-year-old is making a miraculous recovery, and all three children are now in the care of their maternal grandmother.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The ultimate Christmastime tradition ought to be repeat viewings of BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas TV movie series, and its pinnacle, the haunting Whistle and I'll Come to You (available on AMC+ and YouTube).—
Tiffany Kelly,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
-
And, in several haunting instances, scenes aboard his helicopter.—
Peter Kiefer,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Although Nuccio is as down to earth as anyone could be, and definitely not a mystic, there can be no disputing his stature as a remarkable man.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Madonna was born and raised Catholic but has long practiced the Jewish mystic tradition of Kabbalah and adopted the Hebrew name Esther in 2004, per The Forward.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
For this magical season to continue, the Patriots must stress their base plays and cleverest counters.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Expanding to older audiences and exploring new themes, Mattel publishing is eager to collaborate with Aster to continue growing their book community and bring new authors into the magical world of Barbie.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncanny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncanny. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
