Synonyms of eerie

eerie

adjective

ˈir-ē 

variants also eery

as in creepy

fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic

eerie noises would occasionally come from locked rooms in the castle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Almost everyone at some point has felt the eerie synchronicity of seeing an ad served up on a social media platform that exactly corresponds to a recent conversation. —New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2025

Is there a better — or more eerie — cinematic combination? —Jack Smart, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025

The cat from Coraline (2009) The enigmatic, unnamed cat helps guide Coraline through both her own world and the eerie Other World — with plenty of sarcasm along the way. —Devan Coggan, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025

Disappearing from the table, my father returned with that eerie icon of the naked woman. —Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025