Synonyms of curiosity

curiosity

noun

ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē 

1

as in concern

an eager desire to find out about things that are often none of one's business

our neighbor's curiosity about what we were doing last night was really offensive

Synonyms & Similar Words

• concern
• questioning
• inquisitiveness
• interest
• curiousness
• nosiness
• wonderment
• attentiveness
• inquiry
• interrogation
• interference
• prying
• intrusiveness
• regard
• officiousness
• obtrusiveness
• eavesdropping
• meddlesomeness
• rubbernecking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• disregard
• incuriosity
• apathy
• unconcern
• incuriousness
• disinterestedness

2

as in rarity

something strange or unusual that is an object of interest

the museum's curiosities include items constructed entirely out of toothpicks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rarity
• wonder
• exotic
• curio
• oddity
• marvel
• monster
• virtu
• objet d'art
• mutant
• mutation
• abnormality
• oddment
• found object
• prodigy
• anomaly
• curiosa
• ephemera
• rare bird
• freak
• rara avis
• objet trouvé
• malformation
• monstrosity

3

as in ornamental

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

• ornamental
• novelty
• ornament
• souvenir
• gaud
• curio
• knickknack
• gewgaw
• trinket
• bauble
• bibelot
• collectible
• tchotchke
• gimcrack
• kickshaw
• doodad
• trumpery
• trifle
• virtu
• gimcrackery
• figurine
• conversation piece
• bagatelle
• memento
• trinketry
• bric-a-brac
• keepsake
• bijouterie
• objet d'art
• collector's item

4

as in trick

an odd or peculiar habit

Charles Dickens typically endowed his characters with an array of endearing curiosities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trick
• trait
• eccentricity
• mannerism
• characteristic
• quirk
• idiosyncrasy
• habit
• peculiarity
• singularity
• oddity
• individualism
• twist
• kink
• tic
• quip
• erraticism
• attitude
• attribute
• quiddity
• affectation
• practice
• personality
• tendency
• character
• crotchet
• weirdness
• addiction
• property
• pattern
• inclination
• way
• predilection
• perversion
• airs
• neuroticism
• predisposition
• humor
• custom
• proclivity
• abnormality
• penchant
• propensity
• temperament
• individuality
• identity
• disposition
• genius
• partiality
• wont
• nature
• bent
• mark
• turn
• leaning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conformity
• sameness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of curiosity

Their work identified 14 emotions or experiences that could be affected by the design of an extreme habitat, including anxiety, autonomy, nostalgia, curiosity, fatigue, and kinship. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026

The curiosity surrounding this kind of institution today stems precisely from the question of how such a school can still exist. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

At the same time, public curiosity about him is only going to increase. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Visitors who’ve been drawn by nostalgia or curiosity to see it — and smell it — for themselves have molded over 3,000 sphinxes so far. — Juliet Bennett Rylah, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026