as in eccentric
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion
an actor known more for his outré offscreen antics than for his on-screen performances
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Recent Examples of outré
Many an outre fashion statement was photographed and breathlessly described at the Tonys.
—
Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 12 June 2019
Kelela also has an ear for blending outre electronic instrumentation that seems to swoon under her powerful voice.
—Leor Galil, Chicago Reader, 27 Oct. 2017
Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor has a penchant for sartorially astute three-piece suits, while the Denver Broncos’ outside linebacker Von Miller takes a more outre approach with his big ol’ Burt Reynolds glasses and cowboy hats.
—Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 24 Oct. 2017
Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 12 June 2019
Kelela also has an ear for blending outre electronic instrumentation that seems to swoon under her powerful voice.
—Leor Galil, Chicago Reader, 27 Oct. 2017
Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor has a penchant for sartorially astute three-piece suits, while the Denver Broncos’ outside linebacker Von Miller takes a more outre approach with his big ol’ Burt Reynolds glasses and cowboy hats.
—Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 24 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outré
Adjective
-
The Canadian American performer earned acclaim playing eccentric characters across film and television, from comedic roles to dramatic parts in prestige productions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
This question has rattled around in thousands of runners’ brains throughout January, due to an eccentric athletic competition.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Why would someone dig such a bizarre underground hideout?—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Well, what happened next was pretty bizarre.—
Tom Margenau,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
From the other side of the window the guard is giving me funny kine looks.—
Jasmin 'Iolani Hakes,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
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But history, which has a funny way of repeating itself, suggests otherwise.—
Stephen Mihm,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Engram’s impact at TE1 was erratic, though, to put it kindly.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Even for a politician known for erratic policy shifts, this swap—of longtime democratic partners that have sacrificed much for America’s benefit in exchange for an authoritarian regime intent on undermining it—is bizarre.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nonetheless, Sasaki and Murakami don’t qualify for the strangest request from a new signing in MLB.—
Jordy Fee-Platt,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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As a listening experience, African Skies is a mix of the familiar and the strange.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outré.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outr%C3%A9. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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