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 next

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

Relevance

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 These curious but cautious forest mammals showed up every night at Secret Spring and often seemed to pose for pictures as the remote camera continued taking images as long these furry visitors hung around. —

Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026 May 21 – June 20 One curious question could put you in the right room. —

Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2026 The messages should feel personal, warm and curious, not transactional. —

Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026 In this uniquely enchanting debut from Tessa Yang, a marine biologist gets a call from her college crush asking for her help solving a curious mystery on the island of Shattering Point, Maine, and fixing what the locals have dubbed the Jellyfish Problem. —

Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for curious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curious

Adjective

At 6 years old, little Ronny Howard got cast in The Andy Griffith Show as Opie, Sheriff Taylor’s inquisitive son.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026
Filmed in Haiti‘s northern Cap-Haïtien region, the movie follows Ruben, a young man (Stevenson Jean) who embarks on a journey to reconnect with his estranged father, accompanied by an inquisitive street kid (Blangue Machiny).

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 4 June 2026