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
In adolescence, Ogden found a new, more outre guiding star.
—
Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
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
Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outré
Adjective
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Digging into the Warren Commission’s evidence, in Meagher’s time, was regarded as something more than eccentric.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
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While peers have pushed the genre toward radio-ready house-pop or dubiously eccentric experiments, Pond remain tethered to the sound that produced their last true breakout.—
Cassidy Sollazzo,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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In a bizarre scene at the ceremony, his troops stood at attention as Ríos addressed them in a live video feed from a Bogotá prison.—
John Otis,
NPR,
21 June 2026
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This has produced a toxic and bizarre backlash.—
Tom Deignan,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
Adjective
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Other members of the cast contribute some sharp edges and moments that are legitimately funny.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
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Someone’s losing their dignity, and that’s funny.—
Jesse David Fox,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Weather officials say erratic winds have been sending smoke to different parts of the region this weekend.—
Kayla Bartkowski,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
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That, of course, was shown at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where the Jabulani grabbed headlines for its erratic and unpredictable movement — so much so that there’s a Wikipedia page dedicated to its criticisms.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
20 June 2026
Adjective
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Truth is stranger than fiction.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2026
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As Photay, Shornstein—a master synthesist and producer—flits between atmospheric house, dubby breakbeat workouts, and chirping electro funk, building his songs’ arrangements into strange, angular shapes.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outré.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outr%C3%A9. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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