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

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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 The truth is that Compton and Clark’s musical, which won three Olivier awards last year, presents its own curious case. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 But a coming Ongava project will add a new element for curious travelers. — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026 Other vendors at the shop see their work as a way to educate curious customers about Haitian culture. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 McCarthy knew he was poised between the poles Burdick described, intensely curious, living in Squaresville (Knoxville, the university), but longing to burn and be gone. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curious

Adjective

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
Even behind the anchor desk, Rather’s inquisitive manner and reporter’s instincts for confrontation were well known.

— Walter Podrazik, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of inquisitive

Adjective

After Orson’s reading from the novel, the broadcast cuts in on a weather report that is then followed by a dance music concert, but the smooth tango music is interrupted by breaking news of strange explosions on Mars.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
However, a strange light phenomenon and the arrival of her physicist ex-husband pull her back into the scientific world.

— Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

And now Great Question will, hopefully CBS News thinks, bring that voice to new places, in a digital expansion that is unusual for an evening news anchor.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
But the book walks the reader through Raichlen’s unusual path to becoming a food writer obsessed with the art of barbecuing.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

Here, the idea that Hollywood is truly interested in the creative possibilities of a fanfic-originating adaptation becomes weak.

— Emily Maskell, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2026
No one interested in pondering what looks like an intractably difficult conflict need turn their attention to Iran or Israel.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of interested

Adjective

But at the center of this story is a man named Michael Organ who turns out to be a bizarre, seemingly dangerous conman.

— Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
Aside from spreading fear and anxiety through the agricultural labor force — which might be the point, if the hope is many will self-deport — the surge is having some other bizarre and probably unintended consequences.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

Coalition governments are not uncommon in the state, where politicians are fond of saying that pragmatism trumps partisanship.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Single digits—and even colder conditions, especially at elevation on Jackson Hole Mountain—are not uncommon.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 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

As the country hurtles toward a pivotal but divisive election, Netflix has done us all a favor by dropping four documentaries about really funny people this month.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
New York is getting roasted for an awkward giveaway T-shirt gaffe, made funnier by the team proudly posting the evidence on social media.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of funny

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“Curious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curious. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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