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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 Sunday was a bizarre day at Coors Field, even by Rockies standards. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 12 May 2025 The set of circumstances surrounding Tavera’s March 5, 2022 murder were horrifyingly bizarre, with jurors receiving a nuanced play-by-play at trial. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 9 May 2025 The presentation starts with teaching the compliment sandwich technique, but quickly goes off the rails as the participants ask more bizarre questions. Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025 Heti’s writing is witty, reflective, and just bizarre enough to capture your interest even as people mill about in your peripheral vision. Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bizarre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bizarre
Adjective
  • The biggest change, however, has been in fly ball frequency - his fly ball rate is now an absurd 50.0%, higher than any 2024 MLB regular.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • What else can be said about Judge’s absurd start to this season?
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • From the window of his 46th-floor downtown office, attorney Scott Sheftall noticed a strange, solitary cloud that worried him.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025
  • Although strange, anachronistic, and exaggerated, this world still seems to reflect the same daily problems that all people endure.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
  • If 51% of the population is being so underserved, the ratio to opportunity is insane.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In this instance there was a weird misunderstanding about which some of the people on the WGA Board chose to assume the worst.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025
  • These shows are inherently weird, and weird goes hand in hand with art.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • And this is not a story of corporate greed run amok, because Walmart would be foolish to try to gouge its customers at a time when economic anxiety is high (more on that in a moment).
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
  • Peters said the training from Wayne State's Institute of Gerontology has helped credit union employees to better frame probing questions that will get a positive response without making members feel foolish.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Built as part of the Cardiff Hall plantation, the property had fallen into near ruin; chickens and the odd goat wandered through the living room.
    Isabel Wilkinson Schor, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are discovered across the planet.
    Real-Time news team, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Meeting your life-long love as a child at church may seem unreal.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Spectators and commentators alike were taken aback as the incident unfolded due to the unreal farmer's tan of Phillips.
    Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s not to say the film isn’t funny or sweet, but that there is something much more profound and uncomfortable at its heart, and one that poses a tricky challenge for first-time filmmakers Johansson and Kamen.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
  • His translation recognizes, here and throughout, that the original is funny and compelling enough not to need elaborate explanation, even 60 years after its debut.
    Lily Meyer, The Dial, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bizarre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bizarre. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bizarre

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