1
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
2
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
3
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of curious
Beautifully photographed by Greig Fraser, the color palette is warm and colorful, not cold and sterile; Daniel Pemberton’s percussive score is curious, bright and emotionally leading.
—
Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
Inside, the ambiance blends upscale‑casual comfort with South Dakota character — warm woods, a lively cocktail bar, local art and even a wine, olive oil and balsamic tasting bar that draws curious diners.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Researchers from a coalition of West Coast universities were curious how 100 human participants would respond to the age-old question, but not because of their own pursuit of happiness.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Neither California heavyweight performed particularly great among Democratic voters in the Bay Area, which DiCamillo called a curious finding for two politicians from the region.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for curious
Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
Inside, the ambiance blends upscale‑casual comfort with South Dakota character — warm woods, a lively cocktail bar, local art and even a wine, olive oil and balsamic tasting bar that draws curious diners.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Researchers from a coalition of West Coast universities were curious how 100 human participants would respond to the age-old question, but not because of their own pursuit of happiness.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Neither California heavyweight performed particularly great among Democratic voters in the Bay Area, which DiCamillo called a curious finding for two politicians from the region.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for curious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curious
Adjective
-
Soon a tunnel between the ships, then a meeting, with a friendly, inquisitive alien who looks like a sort of craggy spider/crab, whom Grace dubs Rocky.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
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The inquisitive student was not a student at all, but a woman from Philadelphia named Bonnie Raines.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The strange circumstances of his last weeks have the quality of a nightmare from which the Samsas awake.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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But his arrest and conviction in 2024 had been preceded a year earlier by a strange story that appeared in the press and then disappeared almost as quickly.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But with this unusual warmth, Greene warns even that may not be enough.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
As Southern California’s unusual March heat wave continues, several daily temperature records were broken across the region on Wednesday, March 18.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The person who is most interested in me getting married is my daughter.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
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Those interested in seeing the show can find more information and purchase tickets on DCPA's website here.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But some of the violations are anything but mundane, hiding records that might shed light on some of DeSantis’ most bizarre and offensive stunts.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
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This is no small feat, given that real-life Silicon Valley stories often seem too bizarre to be true.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mail-only ballot elections are a cheaper, though slightly uncommon, alternative for cities when no candidates are on the ballot, like in the case of the upcoming April 21 election in the City Beautiful, according to Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
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That kind of thing is not uncommon.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Accidentally running face-first into your mom’s butt is funny, no matter your species.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
20 Mar. 2026
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At work, while reporting near a looming tornado, Clark meets Floyd (played with a touching, funny pathos by David Harbour), a sign-language interpreter.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curious. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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