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Synonym Chooser

How is the word uncanny distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words eerie and weird are common synonyms of uncanny. While all three words mean "mysteriously strange or fantastic," uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness.

an uncanny resemblance between total strangers

In what contexts can eerie take the place of uncanny?

The words eerie and uncanny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eerie suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work.

an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid

When would weird be a good substitute for uncanny?

Although the words weird and uncanny have much in common, weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress peculiarity or oddness.

weird creatures from another world

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 More recently, at least one lawmaker seemed to have an uncanny sense that the president’s tariffs were about to be paused. Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025 Joanna Gaines has an uncanny ability to make anything beautiful. Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025 Contortionism has been a fundamental cultural expression in Mongolia since the 12th century, and in this work Khuyagaa intertwines a celebration of this heritage with her interest in the female body, beauty, and the uncanny. Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025 The film’s deep bench of co-stars includes recent Oscar nominee Jeremy Strong as Springsteen’s manager Jon Landau, recent Emmy winner Stephen Graham as Springsteen’s father, and recent uncanny Theo Vonn impersonator Marc Maron as Springsteen’s producer. Vulture Staff, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncanny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncanny
Adjective
  • Set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean at the height of summer, the erotic thriller follows Calvin Wells (Funk), a charismatic conman who sets his sights on Katrine Winters (Meadow Williams), a mysterious billionaire widow.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
  • For an event celebrating a dark and mysterious being, the vibe is surprisingly uplifting.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What went into choreographing a fight between two superhuman combatants?
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 23 Sep. 2025
  • His powers included manipulating fire, engulfing his body in flames, superhuman strength and flying.
    Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Whatever the name, for centuries people have reported seeing these eerie, faint blue flames hovering over marshes, bogs and other wetlands.
    Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Even from far away, the display’s large size creates an eerie atmosphere.
    Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While filming season 3 of Special Forces, Bachelorette alum Trista Sutter's husband, Ryan Sutter, shared a cryptic Instagram post about her being gone, which sparked speculation about their relationship status.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
  • At some point, though, meaning that is sufficiently cryptic becomes indistinguishable from no meaning at all.
    Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Draped by defenders, the junior wideout corralled a miraculous catch in the red zone, then somehow slipped loose for a go-ahead 45-yard touchdown reception.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Less than an hour after making his frantic and somewhat miraculous 59-yarder, Butker missed the 33-yard extra point wide right.
    Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Fire offered an evolved take on their post-hardcore calling card, but Water was largely electronic, resulting in a haunting yet serene setting.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, this whole jaunt to Flatbush has been a somewhat haunting trip down memory lane for Oliver, who has been having flashbacks of being bullied and judged for his little purple scarf and penchant for the arts.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In Completedworks’ spring 2026 presentation, the Texan actor and model took the stage as Miss Edie Grey, a television clairvoyant and mystic extraordinaire that can trace the history of objects with her magical touch.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Yet Blanc’s real faith lies in the nearly mystic quality involved in seeing what the human animal is capable of.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There is something truly magical in the pages of this book, something that blends together romance, and magic and the love of found family.
    Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
  • There's something magical about watching the transition from summer greens to the vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds of fall.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Uncanny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncanny. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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