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
• fantastical
• crazy
• strange
• fantastic
• ridiculous
• fanciful
• nonsensical
• weird
• grotesque
• incredible
• peculiar
• wild
• curious
• preposterous
• odd
• funny
• off the wall
• unbelievable
• implausible
• eccentric
• inconceivable
• unimaginable
• unthinkable
• extravagant
• surreal
• quirky
• ludicrous
• outlandish
• wacky
• whacky
• farcical
• nightmarish
• screwy
• kinky
• laughable
• quaint
• kooky
• outré
• queer
• out-of-the-way
• bizarro
• dreamlike
• Alice-in-Wonderland
• far-out
• way-out
• kookie
• 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
• crazy
• eccentric
• abnormal
• unique
• quirky
• off-the-wall
• outlandish
• wacky
• offbeat
• whacky
• fantastical
• screwy
• kinky
• quaint
• kooky
• funky
• wild
• outré
• unconventional
• uncommon
• outrageous
• way-out
• out-of-the-way
• rare
• bizarro
• extraordinary
• far-out
• weirdo
• queer
• off-kilter
• shocking
• kookie
• fantastic
• rum
• cranky
• queerish
• freakish
• freaky
• outstanding
• striking
• aberrant
• spaced-out
• atypical
• noticeable
• freak
• conspicuous
• phantasmagoric
• flaky
• prominent
• notable
• phenomenal
• puzzling
• out-there
• baffling
• perplexing
• idiosyncratic
• phantasmagorical
• salient
• singular
• 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

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