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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
curious people
a curious situation
a peculiar situation
an intriguing situation
a mysterious situation
a fascinating situation
an interesting situation
a curious mixture
a curious look
curious onlookers
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
Animal-heavy programming could excite or soothe a curious pup.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2025
This curious family of fish develops mutualistic arrangements with host animals in order to stay safe in treacherous waters, while also keeping ectoparasites at bay.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 25 July 2025
The little boys are now toddlers — 2½ year olds who are curious about the world around them.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 15 July 2025
Restructuring code reviews to start with curious questions, rotating pair programming to connect different backgrounds, creating roles that normalized disagreement and training managers to spot covering triggers transformed their culture.
—Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for curious
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2025
This curious family of fish develops mutualistic arrangements with host animals in order to stay safe in treacherous waters, while also keeping ectoparasites at bay.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 25 July 2025
The little boys are now toddlers — 2½ year olds who are curious about the world around them.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 15 July 2025
Restructuring code reviews to start with curious questions, rotating pair programming to connect different backgrounds, creating roles that normalized disagreement and training managers to spot covering triggers transformed their culture.
—Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for curious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curious
Adjective
-
What Gunn might not have been prepared for is Corenswet’s inquisitive nature.—
Rance Collins,
IndieWire,
20 July 2025
-
Thinking about what Jane would do meant to be thoughtful, inquisitive, inclusive, and leave a positive impact on the people around you.—
Abby Roedel,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
Roman looks for instability in the first stars Perhaps the most exciting cosmic explosion discovery that Roman could make would be the observation of the strange explosive death of the universe's first stars.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 July 2025
-
An airline worker staying a night at a hotel near the airport entered their room, only to realize there was something strange about their view.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
Their target area was unusual, though: a strip of lawn between the road and a fence bordering Interstate 65, where homeless people have set up about two dozen tents over the first half of this year.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
26 July 2025
-
Summer storms cause travel headaches every year, but these numbers are not unusual.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
Though approached by the landmark commission several times, Williams said the family was never interested in designating the property a historic landmark because of the alteration rules that would be applied to the site.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
-
There wasn’t a full book there, and Fanny wasn’t interested in publishing them, but something was starting to brew in her.—
Ezra Fox
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Sony and Microsoft and the PC world can keep playing the cutting-edge hardware competition while Nintendo luxuriates in its bizarre boutique silo, unbothered, moisturized, in its lane, consistently content with winning its own solo race.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
The pair then embark on a harrowing adventure, with Luke slowly turning into the most bizarre father figure ever.—
Elliott Smith,
EW.com,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
Now, several weeks of free rent are not uncommon, along with gift cards and other specials to entice renters.—
Beck Andrew Salgado,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Spotty cell service or none at all is not uncommon in parts of Kerr County, northwest of San Antonio.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Chuck Lorre is back with yet another laugh-out-loud funny show to add to his TV universe.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
31 July 2025
-
When something bad happens, five seconds later, something funny in life happens.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
And that’s exactly the kind of weird the planet needs.—
Heather Wishart-Smith,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Though country rock at their core, Roadhouse Band songs are flush with woodwinds and pedal steel, weird horns and synthesizers.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Curious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curious. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share