variants also eery

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

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 eerie The suspect – identified by police as Robin Westman – was inside the store for 40 minutes, talking and laughing with other employees, as well as a customer, and testing out different firearms, the eerie footage shows. Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025 One of the eerier aspects of Reform’s current momentum is how ably it is being assisted by those who are supposed to be preventing it. Sam Knight, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025 The eerie sight prompted plenty of jokes and speculation. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 As more and more eerie changes take place, all pregnant women in the village are forced to abort. Jenny S. Li, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eerie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eerie
Adjective
  • Readers were first introduced to the Bunnies — a creepy clique of writing MFA students — in Mona Awad’s Bunny.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
  • This CoComelon Halloween playlist dials down on the creepy elements of the Halloween season.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The weird winning season Derek Anderson The Browns have had four winning seasons since 1999, with three of them (2002, 2020, 2023) leading to the playoffs.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • There is something weird about the audio part of it all.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Fire offered an evolved take on their post-hardcore calling card, but Water was largely electronic, resulting in a haunting yet serene setting.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, this whole jaunt to Flatbush has been a somewhat haunting trip down memory lane for Oliver, who has been having flashbacks of being bullied and judged for his little purple scarf and penchant for the arts.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Eerie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eerie. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on eerie

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