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
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Recent Examples of stray
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Presumably, the team is looking for lab space in a building with little in the way of stray electromagnetic fields.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Many Maldivian islands have stray cats left behind by previous inhabitants.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Adjective
Both victims were innocent bystanders hit by stray bullets, cops said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Presumably, the team is looking for lab space in a building with little in the way of stray electromagnetic fields.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
Verb
And no one has strayed more than Danielle: straying from the light, straying from human decency, and, if the literary and cultural touchstone Cop Without a Badge is to be believed, straying from the law.
—Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Many Maldivian islands have stray cats left behind by previous inhabitants.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
Adjective
-
The prime time talent show is once again ruining our viewing of acts by constantly cutting in reaction shots of the audience, hosts and random people.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 June 2025
-
There is also the potential random hijacking of energy cargoes in the Strait, which has precedent.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
Verb
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This reclassification grants the Army's U.S. Northern Command expanded authority to enforce immigration laws, including the power to search and temporarily detain those who trespass in the new military zone.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
-
The county judge and county attorney — the officials who handled the thousands of trespassing prosecutions — each got a substantial raise.—
Jack Herrera Jack Herrera,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
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So a guineafowl moving at a slow jog of 1 km/h (0.6 mph) – roughly the pace of a wandering toddler – through Alexander's formula would be estimated as 4.7 km/h (2.9 mph).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 June 2025
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Guests are invited to wander the gardens, join sourdough baking classes, and basically geek out on where their food comes from.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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This anecdote is a perfect snapshot of Jameela’s lifelong refusal to accept arbitrary rules.—
Mandeep Rai,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Choosing a side for the wall would have been arbitrary.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Verb
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When her moment came to walk the red carpet three days later, a radiant Cassie held hands with Combs, her hair styled to fall just over her injured eyebrow and eye.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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Season two saw Valerie cast in an HBO project about the sitcom writer who made her life hell in season one, earning widespread acclaim professionally even as her personal life was falling apart.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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