Synonyms of outlandish

outlandish

adjective

ˌau̇t-ˈlan-dish 

1

as in bizarre

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion

an outlandish outfit made entirely out of bottle caps

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bizarre
• strange
• funny
• weird
• odd
• erratic
• peculiar
• curious
• eccentric
• remarkable
• crazy
• unusual
• off-the-wall
• abnormal
• wacky
• unique
• quirky
• kooky
• outré
• wild
• offbeat
• outrageous
• kinky
• quaint
• unconventional
• funky
• screwy
• way-out
• uncommon
• out-of-the-way
• queer
• far-out
• rare
• extraordinary
• rum
• weirdo
• off-kilter
• bizarro
• cranky
• queerish
• shocking
• outstanding
• aberrant
• fantastic
• spaced-out
• freakish
• striking
• phantasmagoric
• out-there
• freaky
• atypical
• noticeable
• flaky
• freak
• conspicuous
• phenomenal
• prominent
• notable
• salient
• singular
• idiosyncratic
• unwonted
• perplexing
• puzzling
• baffling
• unorthodox
• mystifying
• confounding
• atrocious
• bewildering
• nonconformist
• uncustomary
• crotchety
• addlepated
• nonmainstream

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• normal
• typical
• ordinary
• usual
• standard
• average
• prosaic
• commonplace
• routine
• everyday
• garden
• conventional
• conservative
• unremarkable
• familiar
• unexceptional
• run-of-the-mill
• predictable
• workaday
• common
• expected
• frequent
• conformist
• customary
• regular
• habitual
• knee-jerk
• wonted

2

as in exotic

excitingly or mysteriously unusual

the outlandish tribal rituals that astonished early explorers of that land

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exotic
• romantic
• strange
• foreign
• marvelous
• alien
• colorful
• picturesque
• glamorous
• distant
• fascinating
• fantastic
• bizarro
• enchanting
• dark
• quaint
• magical
• alluring
• picture-book
• remote
• captivating
• faraway

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• familiar
• unromantic
• unglamorous
• plain-Jane
• unexotic
• nonexotic
• nonglamorous

Synonym Chooser

How is the word outlandish distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of outlandish are eccentric, erratic, odd, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is it sensible to use eccentric instead of outlandish?

The words eccentric and outlandish can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

In what contexts can erratic take the place of outlandish?

Although the words erratic and outlandish have much in common, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When can odd be used instead of outlandish?

In some situations, the words odd and outlandish are roughly equivalent. However, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When would peculiar be a good substitute for outlandish?

While the synonyms peculiar and outlandish are close in meaning, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When could quaint be used to replace outlandish?

The meanings of quaint and outlandish largely overlap; however, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is singular a more appropriate choice than outlandish?

The words singular and outlandish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

Where would strange be a reasonable alternative to outlandish?

While in some cases nearly identical to outlandish, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When might unique be a better fit than outlandish?

The synonyms unique and outlandish are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of outlandish

The back room of Flod’s studio is like a butcher’s walk-in fridge, where dozens more masks hang from the ceiling, each more outlandish than the last. — Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

When Brynjolfsson arrived at Stanford, in 2020, his ideas still seemed outlandish. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026

Most players would be glad to end their careers with 500 appearances — to have almost 1,000 goals is freakish, outlandish, historic. — Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 26 June 2026

But as his online following grew, Jamal's message took an outlandish turn. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

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