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

For every verifiable factoid about life in Newfoundland, there’s an American or British actor doing a bizarre accent. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

And Trump himself is back to issuing bizarre predictions about the war’s imminent end. — David Faris, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

But, pounded thin, breaded, and fried, served under lashings of sweet-sharp blackberry sauce, with a confetti of whole blackberries and leaves of mint, the lamb version was brilliant and bizarre, a symphony of strong-willed flavors. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Band Figrin D'an, Star Wars has long revelled in the bizarre. — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026