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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 But, being Nintendo, there were also plenty of bizarre bits tucked in too. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025 This is a bizarre mistake the Sheriff’s Office has yet to explain. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025 Below, my expert guides, Kevin Jackson and Maxie Johnson, share these key items, ranging from the seemingly obvious, like a water purifier, to the wonderfully bizarre, like duct tape. Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2025 Maislin's client made the decision to forgive the driver who hit him and move on with his life in a truly bizarre turn of events. Otto Rabe, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bizarre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bizarre
Adjective
  • There’s no denying that catfish noodling is an absurd sport.
    Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Barely any other media in recent times has given me an instant shock of glee or revulsion like this absurd anarcho-cartoon being stretched and squeezed to its most grotesque and wholesome clickbait limits.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The combination of strange comments, a clear lack of education and experience, and a disturbing personal history with mental health struggles and domestic problems doomed his campaign.
    Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Coon admitted that their daughter has also taken up a strange favorite film.
    Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Malik Heath’s insane toe-tap grab on the sideline, which was reversed after video replay review, was a massive 37-yard swing for the Packers during the drive.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • None of their other work, arguably, has had the seismic impact or inspires the same insane quotability as This Is Spinal Tap.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The second reason is that these aura battler designs were very complex and full of curves as well as weird angles.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Things get weird, however, when the lines between science fiction and fantasy start to blur.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But giving someone as historically great as Derrick Henry added motivation, certainly may prove to be a foolish decision from Delpit.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • There’s highly capable support in the cast from the unfailingly superb Vázquez, emanating gravitas, humanity and barely contained anger at the increasing frequency and spread of wildfires and the foolish refusal of those in power to address the growing threat.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • So, Hilleary will be in the odd position of facing a significant pay cut for getting a big promotion on Capitol Hill.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The iPhone Air Only Supports USB 2 Speeds The iPhone Air is relatively full-featured for such a thin phone, but Apple did make some odd compromises.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Winocour’s intent seems to be to take the fashion world, in its slightly unreal glamour and money and power, and bring it gently down to earth and humanize it.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The air is fresh, the pace is calm, and the views are unreal.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Zambians are warm, funny, proud.
    Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Darkly funny and deeply melancholic, the film turns the family estate into a pressure cooker of grief, grudges and reluctant affection.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bizarre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bizarre. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bizarre

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