Definition of bizarrenext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word bizarre different from other adjectives like it?

The words fantastic and grotesque are common synonyms of bizarre. While all three words mean "conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality," bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination.

a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

When can fantastic be used instead of bizarre?

While the synonyms fantastic and bizarre are close in meaning, fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention.

dreamed up fantastic rumors

When might grotesque be a better fit than bizarre?

Although the words grotesque and bizarre have much in common, grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones.

grotesque statues on the cathedral
though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

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 bizarre Her bizarre claims seemed to trouble others at the network, and given the outcome of the defamation suit, with good reason. Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026 The most tonally bizarre Apes movie ruminates on that question with a mixture of money-saving light comedy and mic-drop grimness. Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 The researchers suspect the bizarre atmospheric phenomenon may have formed between 2017 and 2023, when Saturn’s south pole was tilted away from Earth and therefore out of view. ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 In true Chicago fashion, the festivities were chaotic, bizarre and fully embraced by the crowd. Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bizarre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bizarre
Adjective
  • The Appalachian Trail is absolutely brutal The distance alone is obviously absurd, but mileage is only part of what makes the AT such a beast.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The selection process does not judge whether a study is admirable or absurd, good or bad.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • In a strange quirk of the 2026-27 fixture list, Leeds have been sent to the scenes of those crimes in quick succession once again.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In short, unruly crowds, strange smells, intrusive noise and late nights are not unique inventions of the TikTok era.
    Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Darby hit an insane Coffin Drop from a lighting rig, through the stage on Knight.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • That base price of about $5,000 may sound insane to the average person but likely won’t hurt the pockets of the average Lamborghini customer.
    Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The weird and wild part is this guy somehow made George Van Haltren famous.
    Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • This game feels just like a Planet Money episode wrapped in a weird little box.
    Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • When his splitter is at its best, Cruz makes opposing hitters look foolish.
    Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But Americans would be foolish to think that Washington is anywhere near solving this problem.
    Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Back in January, guests took the chance and filled quite a few odd items with popcorn.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Which is certainly an odd way to go about saving children from abuse, as Hansen continually explains the mission to Decoy Dan.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Similarly, for the protagonist of Conrad’s story, Captain Whalley, the true life is the life of ships, and changes of fates onshore seem only laterally relevant, near unreal.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Continue reading … DEFYING GRAVITY — MLB outfielder goes full Spider-Man, makes baseball's catch of the year with unreal grab.
    , FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The results are sexy and funny, strange and gorgeous, personal and political, unconcerned with taboo or traditional structure.
    Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Royals’ bat boy comes in and out of view, but there are two funny moments.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bizarre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bizarre. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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