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

These were titans of the home run, outlandish talents whose bats looked like toothpicks in their hands. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Park’s comments come as Gromit prepares for a major first after almost four decades of silently reacting to his owner’s increasingly outlandish inventions. — Sadie Andrew, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

At the time, the Busby Berkeley conception of musical film as outlandish spectacle was the choreographic vogue. — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

But one of the key themes of the documentary is that Patterson, with his ingenious little fake film, didn’t just create an outlandish legend. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

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