CURIOUS Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

curious

adjective

ˈkyu̇r-ē-əs

Definition of curious

as in inquisitive

interested in what is not one's own business curious neighbors peered out of their windows as the new people moved in

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strange

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion that's a pretty curious coincidence—almost too curious to be believed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unusual

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced that is one of the most curious paintings I've ever seen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Warhammer Survivors changes that, finally providing curious gamers with an easy entry point into the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 12 Nov. 2026 Beyond the film’s immediate drama, Gray says Johansson was deeply curious about the generations of Jewish immigrant history that shaped Hester’s family and their aspirations for a better life. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026 For a man on fire, Paul Bettany had a curious thing following him around the set of VisionQuest — a battery on a skateboard. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2026 Her students were curious about the neighborhood property and disappointed that it was left in disrepair. — Emilie Takahashi, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curious

Adjective

He’ll be assisted by his pal, the somewhat more purposeful Lietenant Sam Weinberg (Nick Blaemire) and the passionately inquisitive internal affairs officer Lieutenant Commander JoAnne Galloway (Rodriguez).

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026
In the first, a best-selling mystery author dies, and Benoit Blanc, a charismatic and inquisitive private eye played by Daniel Craig, must investigate.

— New York Times, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of inquisitive

Adjective

Cristin Tierney Gallery Maureen O’Leary’s paintings at Cristin Tierney are wonderfully strange.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Nov. 2026
The extremes of the moral universe have always been duking it out down there, which makes Mississippi not strange or anomalous, but illustrative.

— Claire Howorth, Vanity Fair, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

The outbreak was first detected in Mongbwalu, a gold-mining town of around 130,000 people in Ituri province in northeastern Congo, after the WHO was alerted on May 5 about an unusual cluster of illness and deaths.

— Anthony W. Gambino, Time, 13 Nov. 2026
Rather than simply hiring more YouTubers or adapting unusual internet properties, is the real lesson to take chances on newer, original voices, regardless of platform or genre?

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

The commission recommends in the report that developers interested in making an economic development deal with Fort Worth should provide specific employment numbers and wages.

— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2026
Those interested in helping fund Tony's recovery can donate to I Heart Dog Rescue in Pompano Beach at the link here.

— Joan Murray, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of interested

Adjective

Personnel limitations may have hurt both sides of the ball, but the Ravens have made some bizarre calls on offense and defense during a four-game losing streak.

— Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026
In a bizarre turn of events, on Wednesday November 4th, New York City’s Queens Public Library (QPL) system, which operates 66 branches, experienced an attack on its online networks by a hacker.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

Narcissists, not uncommon in pop circles, have no such hangups.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2026
But the Jets’ other three opponents (Tennessee, Cleveland and Arizona) have a 9-17 record, compared with 15-10 for the Dolphins’ uncommon opponents (Cincinnati, San Francisco, Indianapolis).

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying — and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.

— Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying -- and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.

— Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023

Definition of prying

Adjective

Set in the future, on the coast of Kent, this unsettling yet funny sci-fi story is about a man who discovers something very strange and seemingly sentient on the beach.

— Namara Smith, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2026
Only, there’s nothing funny about the show Tampa Bay is watching now, one that might not include Nikita Kucherov for much longer.

— Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of funny

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“Curious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curious. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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