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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 This final day got off to quite the bizarre start when, at about 10am local time, a mass power outage affected the region, cutting off electricity and greatly blocking cell service. Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 24 May 2025 Critics, however, often take issue with unusual, and sometimes bizarre, tangents during public remarks. Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 Sinner won a bizarre semifinal in his first tournament back from a three-month doping ban, while Alcaraz triumphed in a sloppy duel. Sam Settleman, New York Times, 17 May 2025 Known for its deluge of gruesome deaths that just get more bizarre with each iteration, Final Destination is now returning for a sixth movie. Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bizarre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bizarre
Adjective
  • There’s the undercurrent of politics stirring animus between the neighbors, with Canadians angered by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and his absurd aside saying perhaps Canada should be the 51st U.S. state.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
  • The concept itself is absurd, given the modest park features.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • After coming to the Mets at the trade deadline, Blackburn had a serious of strange injuries, getting hit by a line drive on his hand, and then suffering from a spinal fluid leak that required surgery.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
  • There, the homeowner said a stranger barefoot and clad only in black shorts — later identified as Schaefer — opened the unlocked back door and came inside.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 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
  • Historically, Nintendo has had a weird relationship with the internet.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 3 June 2025
  • Can't wait for the weird personality quirks and side eye of judgment.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • To write off the Israeli leader would be foolish, especially with new elections not required until late 2026.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
  • His writing is so human—his people are foolish in such human ways.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • This was more like a caterpillar body with odd patterns on its plates and a snapping turtle mouth.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 9 June 2025
  • On top of that, 1972 was the year NASDAQ was set up and 3,000 odd new companies entered the public arena.
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • Your support has been unreal all season… — Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) May 29, 2025 The season came to a disappointing end in a 4-1 series loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals, but these Timberwolves have redefined what qualifies as disappointment.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • The company’s Data Center division brought in an almost unreal $39.1 billion in the first quarter, up 10% from the previous quarter and up 73% from a year ago.
    Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • There are enough quotable lines of dialogue in the movie’s first half to remind you why Succession was, pound for pound, one of the most profanely funny shows on TV during its run.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 May 2025
  • Because to us, the most funny things are right next to the most tragic things.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bizarre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bizarre. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bizarre

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