1
2
3

Try This Instead

For
Try This
curious people
fascinated people
interested people
concerned people
a curious situation
a peculiar situation
an intriguing situation
a mysterious situation
a fascinating situation
an interesting situation
a curious mixture
an unusual mixture
a strange mixture
a surprising mixture
a clever mixture
a bizarre mixture
a curious look
a peculiar look
a puzzled look
a suspicious look
an uncertain look
curious onlookers
nosy onlookers
enthralled onlookers
anxious onlookers
eager onlookers
inquisitive onlookers

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective curious contrast with its synonyms?

The words inquisitive and prying are common synonyms of curious. While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

When could inquisitive be used to replace curious?

The words inquisitive and curious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

When is prying a more appropriate choice than curious?

The synonyms prying and curious are sometimes interchangeable, but prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

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 curious On June 13, 1863, a curious letter to the editor appeared in The Press, a then-fledgling New Zealand newspaper. Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 6 June 2025 Ahead of me: a gallery of curious faces, bodies and hands. Susan Choi, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025 No one is young for long enough in New York — except Ed, who managed to stay young and curious until the very end. Christopher Bollen, Vulture, 5 June 2025 Fans are curious to see if Sanders can get on the field as a rookie. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for curious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curious
Adjective
  • While Gemini is curious, inquisitive and communicative, Virgo is preoccupied with the need for order, cohesion and productivity.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 31 May 2025
  • Luke Breed: Beagle Age: 2 years Luke is a super smart and inquisitive dog with a gentle soul.
    Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • After coming to the Mets at the trade deadline, Blackburn had a serious of strange injuries, getting hit by a line drive on his hand, and then suffering from a spinal fluid leak that required surgery.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
  • There, the homeowner said a stranger barefoot and clad only in black shorts — later identified as Schaefer — opened the unlocked back door and came inside.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • These however, are unusual times that call for something more.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • The unusual incident was documented on a Reddit page dedicated to all things Walmart.
    Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • The only way for a princess to stay royal is to stay single her entire life or marry a direct relative within her own family — an arrangement no one is particularly interested in pursuing.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2025
  • Trump’s remarks are among his most extensive public comments yet on his feud with Musk, and the latest sign that the president is not interested in mending his relationship with the onetime ally.
    Erin Doherty, CNBC, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • The bizarre blackouts are first explained with a bizarre hit-and-run that shook Larkin months earlier.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 June 2025
  • But much of the discussion after the San Francisco Giants' 5-4 victory centered around a bizarre moment in the fourth inning.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Disagreeing with your boss is not uncommon, but there are ways to make your criticism stick without involving others—in this case, the American public.
    Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The idea of achieving ‘dominion’ over the world and society is not uncommon in charismatic Christian theology, according to religious scholar Matthew Taylor, who studies Christian Nationalism.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • From funny reactions to adorable giggles, see some of the best moments from Thursday's big game Comments Taylor Swift is back in her sporty era!
    Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 13 June 2025
  • Roman is my kind of Virgil—chatty, funny, forgiving, sharp.
    Marina Harss, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Can't wait for the weird personality quirks and side eye of judgment.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • Historically, Nintendo has had a weird relationship with the internet.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 3 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Curious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curious. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on curious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!