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curious people
fascinated people
interested people
concerned people
a curious situation
a peculiar situation
an intriguing situation
a mysterious situation
a fascinating situation
an interesting situation
a curious mixture
an unusual mixture
a strange mixture
a surprising mixture
a clever mixture
a bizarre mixture
a curious look
a peculiar look
a puzzled look
a suspicious look
an uncertain look
curious onlookers
nosy onlookers
enthralled onlookers
anxious onlookers
eager onlookers
inquisitive onlookers

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective curious contrast with its synonyms?

The words inquisitive and prying are common synonyms of curious. While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

When could inquisitive be used to replace curious?

The words inquisitive and curious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

When is prying a more appropriate choice than curious?

The synonyms prying and curious are sometimes interchangeable, but prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

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 curious The clouds were heavy, the floodlights shone down on Headingley and conditions were perfect for the curious cricketing phenomenon of swing bowling. Paul Newman, New York Times, 21 June 2025 As always, Term Sheet is curious to hear your thoughts. Ani Freedman, Fortune, 20 June 2025 Ideal for travelers, those with curious pets, and folks who simply don’t want the responsibility of plant parenthood, this potted tree garners praise from shoppers for its high quality and nonexistent upkeep. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2025 Massive societal change, excess, expression, performance, bombast, fascinating technological progress—it’s all documented and on display, ready to educate any curious mind. Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for curious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curious
Adjective
  • Morning had just dawned on Sunday when an inquisitive Iranian girl awakened to war.
    Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 16 June 2025
  • The voice on the recordings is gentle, inquisitive, wise.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • This film is set entirely inside a taxi cab that Panahi is driving around Tehran, as different people drift in and out of his car with their own strange and very personal dramas.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
  • But one of the strangest well wishes came not from a person, but a 1,400-foot-tall building.
    Stephen Daw, Billboard, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Is there a relationship between writing and fiction and unusual height?
    Jane Smiley June 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
  • An unusual addition to a historic cityscape courtesy of artist Jason Jones.
    David Morgan, CBS News, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The extent of his role remains disputed by Modi, who told Trump that India was not interested in third-party mediation over the Kashmir dispute during their call Tuesday, according to Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • Village staff has suggested relocating the dog park if trustees are interested in keeping it open.
    Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • While most players at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship are battling the Texas heat, slow play, and a demanding Fields Ranch East layout, Leona Maguire is dealing with something far more bizarre—tick bites!
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • The bizarre mix of world football and American football was once again clashing early in the game.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Every great American story is sentimental in the same way: instincts born out of struggle, the triumph of the schoolyard over the classroom, uncommon creativity driven by necessity.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
  • At the end of the day, the Ducks have an uncommon level of control over personnel between the ability to match any offer sheets to their RFAs and the circumstantial factors surrounding their UFAs.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Target jokes stopped being funny when, in 2023, right-wing social-media attacks on its Pride collection got so bad that the company pulled some of the items from its stores, citing threats to employees.
    Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
  • There’s definitely something funny going on with the Universe.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sometimes your audio is all screwed up and echoing, there are weird pauses everywhere, and nothing interesting gets said.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Now its being noted online and by The New York Post that Barry star Bill Hader had a weird day with Kove.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Curious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curious. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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