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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 Some parents and caregivers may be curious about making their own rehydration solutions. Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 2 July 2025 That’s curious since many laptop users don’t need those accessories. David Phelan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 The timing of the decision seemed curious to fans given that Alvarez went 2-for-5 with a home run in Saturday’s win. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 22 June 2025 Joining in the critical chorus was actual Kennedy Jack Schlossberg (here’s a family tree for those curious), who said the family was not involved in the production. Rance Collins, IndieWire, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for curious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curious
Adjective
  • According To Experts Where To Set Up A Mouse Trap Mice are inquisitive and will investigate anything new, says Owen.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
  • Decades after her mother’s passing, Seed discovered those recordings and put them at the heart of a documentary, A Photographic Memory, a film that can also be described as gentle, inquisitive, and wise.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • Ali spends a good chunk of time confused by the strange words whirling around him.
    Christopher J. Yates July 9, Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
  • Once it’s set, however, the song hits that midpoint launch, and the visuals take off with it, careening into a kaleidoscopic burst of moshing, shredding, and seemingly unfettered euphoria that quickly descends into strange violence and cannibalistic chaos.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • There was an unusual silence surrounding Sacramento’s apparent acquisition of Dennis Schroder on Monday after the Kings reportedly reached an agreement with the free agent point guard.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
  • Thanks to the rapid ascension of brands like Ganni and Saks Potts in recent years, Danish fashion has become a global sensation with its unusual silhouettes, playful colors and patterns, and effortless, bike-ready vibe.
    Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, at 39, Horford may not be interested in a gap year.
    Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The Contour Face is fabulous for those interested in general regeneration or alleviating signs of aging, but those with acne-prone skin should consider its Clear mask which utilizes blue light, clinically proven to kill acne-causing bacteria.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • This bizarre tale about being picked up by bounty hunters, taken to an unmarked warehouse without access to food, water or an attorney were clearly fabricated.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • Alicia Hannah-Kim is breaking her silence after a bizarre incident with Cobra Kai costar Martin Kove earlier this month resulted in him being removed from a fan event for biting her.
    Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • About 46 novas per year explode in the Milky Way—but since many are very far away, spotting one with the naked eye in the night sky is uncommon.
    Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025
  • And on purely residential streets, that type of building is uncommon since many houses don't have separate bases.
    Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Make funny faces, play peek-a-boo, take them for a walk around the neighborhood.
    Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 7 July 2025
  • Well its funny to say this to Forbes — but the fashion system is financially small but culturally a very potent front of western supremacy.
    Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Rockies’ next head of baseball operations needs to come from outside their weird little world, but possess a feel for the challenges of building a winner at Coors Field.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 July 2025
  • Despite not being a purveyor of nail products, Selena Gomez has established herself as something of a finger chameleon (Too weird?
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Curious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curious. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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