Synonyms of eerie

eerie

adjective

ˈir-ē 

variants also eery

as in haunting

fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic

eerie noises would occasionally come from locked rooms in the castle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• haunting
• creepy
• weird
• spooky
• uncanny
• bizarre
• unearthly
• mysterious
• unusual
• terrifying
• spectral
• ghostly
• ghoulish
• odd
• spookish
• curious
• ghastly
• quirky
• uncommon
• peculiar
• ghostlike
• quaint
• enigmatic
• outlandish
• supernatural
• horrible
• outré
• metaphysical
• puzzling
• horrifying
• terrible
• inscrutable
• preternatural
• unaccustomed
• dreadful
• queerish
• fearsome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• normal
• common
• usual
• ordinary
• typical
• commonplace
• routine
• everyday
• natural
• prosaic
• unremarkable
• familiar
• unexceptional
• predictable
• expected

Synonym Chooser

How is the word eerie distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words uncanny and weird are common synonyms of eerie. While all three words mean "mysteriously strange or fantastic," eerie suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work.

an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid

When is it sensible to use uncanny instead of eerie?

While in some cases nearly identical to eerie, uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness.

an uncanny resemblance between total strangers

When can weird be used instead of eerie?

The words weird and eerie are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress peculiarity or oddness.

weird creatures from another world

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of eerie

For divers, the experience is equal parts eerie and breathtaking. —Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park conserves nearly 13,000 acres of rare hardwood bottomland along the Mississippi River, including eerie bald cypress swamp. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026

The situation is triggering an eerie sense of déjà vu and fear. —Angela Haupt, Time, 8 May 2026

During that time span, Goff was in at least seven now-eerie Charlotte Observer articles. —Julia Coin may 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026