1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary
a writer with a peculiar talent for capturing the feel of everyday conversation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strange
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion
a peculiar and catlike way of walking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced
a peculiar response to a polite query about his health
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person
his peculiar way of talking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in distinctive
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
the koala is peculiar to Australia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort
a psychopathic killer who took peculiar delight in torturing his victims
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 peculiar
The peculiar departure of Pius Suter, given the cost, only adds to that.
—
Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Experts said the settlement, dating back to the Neolithic period, is peculiar because it was occupied for about 12 years, which is considered a long time in that historical context.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
In his youth, the blue-eyed Stamp was widely considered one of the most handsome men onscreen, and Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini used that to peculiar effect in Teorema (1968), casting the actor as a nameless and wordless visitor who seduces an entire household.
—Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2025
They’re endangered, and a few years ago, the fish began dying at alarming rates from a peculiar sickness.
—Jack Prator, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peculiar
Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Experts said the settlement, dating back to the Neolithic period, is peculiar because it was occupied for about 12 years, which is considered a long time in that historical context.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
In his youth, the blue-eyed Stamp was widely considered one of the most handsome men onscreen, and Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini used that to peculiar effect in Teorema (1968), casting the actor as a nameless and wordless visitor who seduces an entire household.
—Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2025
They’re endangered, and a few years ago, the fish began dying at alarming rates from a peculiar sickness.
—Jack Prator, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peculiar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peculiar
Adjective
-
Because our mulch is rubber, this seemed unusual, and out of caution, the guardian was called immediately.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Routh, who is representing himself, has filed unusual motions requesting strippers and a golf round with the president.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Because something very strange happens here.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Probably not, given the company’s strange hesitance to part ways with its current leadership.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Harmful behaviors are not an uncommon occurrence in Indiana schools.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Design What Lincoln equipped on the Nautilus loaned to me was a standard list of luxury options, coupled with some more uncommon ones.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
HaiFry brings a taste of Osaka to Louisville Cranston explains that for Masabuchi — who owns both Dragon King’s Daughter locations and Germantown bar Kaiju — HaiFry is deeply personal.—
Lennie Omalza,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
-
She was ultimately charged with one class B misdemeanor for electronic communications harassment, and two more class B misdemeanors for electronic disclosure of personal identifying information.—
Ryan Coleman September 2,
EW.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
It is known to have a distinctive smell and a creamy, custardy texture.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Do a reverse image search of the pet's photo and search for a distinctive phrase in the description.—
Abreanna Blose,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The study, published August 4, 2025, in Nature Communications, could reshape how protective materials are designed, opening doors to lighter, more efficient, and application-specific shock-absorbing solutions.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
-
And bets of $10 or more on higher-risk parlays — gambling that two or more specific things will happen — also will be free of the charge.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Jacqueline Burnett and David Schultz’s extraordinary careers at Hubbard Street date back to 2009.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Astronomers made the rare and extraordinary discovery of an interstellar object in our own solar system on July 1, 2025, sparking a scramble to study the mysterious visitor.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But upon Bennet’s arrival, things take a turn for the bizarre, when the wealthy tycoon builds himself a prison cell in the basement, in an apparent act of meditative penance that forces Blakey into an inversion of traditional power dynamics.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Tasked with bringing into reality those that are a little further down on the bizarre end of the spectrum, the show’s prosthetics and VFX teams had their work cut out for them.—
Lisa de los Reyes,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Peculiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peculiar. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share