Synonyms of bizarre

bizarre

adjective

bə-ˈzär 

1

as in absurd

conceived or made without regard for reason or reality

a bizarre invention that no one could figure out how to use

Synonyms & Similar Words

• absurd
• insane
• foolish
• unreal
• crazy
• strange
• fantastic
• fanciful
• ridiculous
• nonsensical
• wild
• weird
• grotesque
• incredible
• peculiar
• preposterous
• curious
• odd
• funny
• off the wall
• unbelievable
• implausible
• eccentric
• inconceivable
• unimaginable
• unthinkable
• extravagant
• surreal
• wacky
• quirky
• ludicrous
• outlandish
• queer
• farcical
• nightmarish
• kinky
• laughable
• quaint
• outré
• screwy
• out-of-the-way
• kooky
• dreamlike
• bizarro
• Alice-in-Wonderland
• far-out
• way-out
• Kafkaesque
• queerish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reasonable
• realistic

2

as in strange

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion

he gave a bizarre excuse for getting home so late

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strange
• weird
• odd
• funny
• peculiar
• curious
• erratic
• remarkable
• unusual
• eccentric
• crazy
• abnormal
• unique
• wacky
• quirky
• off-the-wall
• outlandish
• screwy
• offbeat
• kooky
• wild
• kinky
• quaint
• funky
• outré
• unconventional
• uncommon
• outrageous
• out-of-the-way
• queer
• rare
• bizarro
• extraordinary
• far-out
• way-out
• weirdo
• off-kilter
• cranky
• shocking
• fantastic
• rum
• queerish
• freakish
• outstanding
• freaky
• striking
• aberrant
• spaced-out
• atypical
• noticeable
• freak
• conspicuous
• prominent
• phantasmagoric
• flaky
• notable
• phenomenal
• puzzling
• out-there
• baffling
• perplexing
• idiosyncratic
• singular
• salient
• unwonted
• bewildering
• unorthodox
• atrocious
• mystifying
• confounding
• uncustomary
• nonconformist
• addlepated
• crotchety
• nonmainstream

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• normal
• typical
• usual
• ordinary
• standard
• commonplace
• average
• prosaic
• routine
• everyday
• garden
• conventional
• unremarkable
• conservative
• familiar
• unexceptional
• predictable
• run-of-the-mill
• common
• workaday
• frequent
• regular
• expected
• customary
• conformist
• habitual
• knee-jerk
• wonted

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

Recent Examples of bizarre

The bizarre and grotesque outcome is that the repressiveness of the state proves to be its own reward. — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

The clip then shows Bader walking down the sidewalk in the shoes as onlookers can’t help but notice the bizarre footwear. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

Los Angeles Police Department officers took a dirt bike rider suspect, allegedly armed with a gun, into custody in South Los Angeles after a bizarre pursuit. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Video footage circulating on social media and photography by Reuters show visitors mounting the unusual contraption, a bizarre mash-up of a motorcycle and an oversized robot dog, and taking it for a spin. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026