1
as in rarities
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest
the museum's curiosities include items constructed entirely out of toothpicks
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2
as in ornamentals
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest
an assortment of curiosities from around the world that the family picked up during various vacations
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tricks
an odd or peculiar habit
Charles Dickens typically endowed his characters with an array of endearing curiosities
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Recent Examples of curiosities
Gyllenhaal lovingly crafts this scarred, stapled and eccentric Bonnie and Clyde duo then tosses them into a landscape of curiosities that matches their weird.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Connecticut should treat those cases as warnings, not curiosities.
—Timothy M. Herbst, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Banks may be one of the biggest curiosities of the opening round.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
This is Amused Bouche, SAVEUR’s food questionnaire that explores the culinary curiosities of some of our favorite people.
—Alyse Whitney, Saveur, 26 Feb. 2026
The interiors are colorful and layered, with patterned wallpaper, statement carpeting, bold tile, and shelves dotted with curiosities that reward a second (and third) look.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026
In this way, the jeans guys are akin to other gentle curiosities, such as the shorts guys who alight on college campuses in wintertime, and the black chipmunks that scamper by from time to time in city parks.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
The snug, with books, board games and curiosities lining its comfortable seating, is the perfect spot for a nightcap or a quiet moment.
—Felicity Capon, TheWeek, 19 Feb. 2026
The collection includes alternate sessions and outtakes from the album’s sessions at Trident Studios, and includes curiosities like guide vocals and studio banter.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Connecticut should treat those cases as warnings, not curiosities.
—Timothy M. Herbst, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Banks may be one of the biggest curiosities of the opening round.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
This is Amused Bouche, SAVEUR’s food questionnaire that explores the culinary curiosities of some of our favorite people.
—Alyse Whitney, Saveur, 26 Feb. 2026
The interiors are colorful and layered, with patterned wallpaper, statement carpeting, bold tile, and shelves dotted with curiosities that reward a second (and third) look.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026
In this way, the jeans guys are akin to other gentle curiosities, such as the shorts guys who alight on college campuses in wintertime, and the black chipmunks that scamper by from time to time in city parks.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
The snug, with books, board games and curiosities lining its comfortable seating, is the perfect spot for a nightcap or a quiet moment.
—Felicity Capon, TheWeek, 19 Feb. 2026
The collection includes alternate sessions and outtakes from the album’s sessions at Trident Studios, and includes curiosities like guide vocals and studio banter.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curiosities
Noun
-
The Mezzanini base card in the highest grade (PSA 10) sells for over $200, and there are 22 parallels in different colors and rarities to collect.—
Andrew Mackie,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
On the home front, several generations have grown up on an American mainland without malaria, yellow fever, or typhoid fever; diseases like dysentery are medical rarities.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike ornamentals, which generally all go into the ground around Mother’s Day, vegetable crops have a specific planting window for success.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Opting for native plants over exotic ornamentals is more practical and beneficial.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Other royals allegedly have their own tricks—like Princess Kate, who’s said to use a clutch bag to avoid endless handshakes.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
-
One of my best tricks of the trade?—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Best Shopping Desert General Store Zuchowicki and his wife Françoise Lazard curate a selection of clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, novelties, and books at Desert General Store, importing items from around the world.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Sumo is both sport and spectacle, a pageantry of difference celebrating novelties like Ozora Buzaemon, who competed in just one tournament in March 1827 but became a national sensation owing to his extraordinary height of more than seven feet.—
Joshua Hunt,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The competing hypotheses, which seek to identify common traits between Little Foot and any of these species, highlight why the fossil continues to be such a rich resource of information that could contain clues to human evolution.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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This late in the draft, the Colts — like pretty much every team — are swinging on traits.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One versatile, wear-with-anything sneaker means more space in your bag for outfits and souvenirs.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The compact pouch unfolds into a surprisingly roomy tote that can handle everything from leftovers and wet ponchos to last-minute Disney souvenirs on the way back to your resort.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The motion to disqualify Robinson, at this point an allegation, touches upon one of the defining characteristics of the Supreme Court — that discussions among judges when deliberating over decisions are confidential.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Every building has distinguishing characteristics.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Discovery tales → Archaeologists uncovered a 1,000-year-old tomb containing gold chest plates, ear ornaments and other elite burial treasures.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
There were no ornaments, no photos, no paintings.—
Josh Ireland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curiosities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curiosities. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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