PECULIAR Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'peculiar' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of peculiar are eccentric , erratic , odd , outlandish , quaint , singular , strange , and unique . While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. // the peculiar status of America's first lady

Q: In what contexts can 'eccentric' take the place of 'peculiar'?

While in some cases nearly identical to peculiar , eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. // the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Q: When could 'erratic' be used to replace 'peculiar'?

The words erratic and peculiar are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. // a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Q: When is 'odd' a more appropriate choice than 'peculiar'?

The synonyms odd and peculiar are sometimes interchangeable, but odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. // an odd sense of humor

Q: When would 'outlandish' be a good substitute for 'peculiar'?

The meanings of outlandish and peculiar largely overlap; however, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. // outlandish fashions of the time

Q: When is it sensible to use 'quaint' instead of 'peculiar'?

Although the words quaint and peculiar have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. // a quaint fishing village

Q: Where would 'singular' be a reasonable alternative to 'peculiar'?

The words singular and peculiar can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. // a singular feeling of impending disaster

Q: When can 'strange' be used instead of 'peculiar'?

In some situations, the words strange and peculiar are roughly equivalent. However, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable. // a journey filled with strange sights

Q: When might 'unique' be a better fit than 'peculiar'?

While the synonyms unique and peculiar are close in meaning, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. // a career unique in the annals of science

peculiar

adjective

pi-ˈkyül-yər

Definition of peculiar

as in unusual

being out of the ordinary a writer with a peculiar talent for capturing the feel of everyday conversation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strange

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion a peculiar and catlike way of walking

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as in uncommon

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced a peculiar response to a polite query about his health

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as in personal

of, relating to, or belonging to a single person his peculiar way of talking

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as in characteristic

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group the koala is peculiar to Australia

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as in specific

of a particular or exact sort a matter of peculiar interest to us

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word peculiar distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

the peculiar status of America's first lady

In what contexts can eccentric take the place of peculiar?

While in some cases nearly identical to peculiar, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When could erratic be used to replace peculiar?

The words erratic and peculiar are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is odd a more appropriate choice than peculiar?

The synonyms odd and peculiar are sometimes interchangeable, but odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When would outlandish be a good substitute for peculiar?

The meanings of outlandish and peculiar largely overlap; however, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is it sensible to use quaint instead of peculiar?

Although the words quaint and peculiar have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to peculiar?

The words singular and peculiar can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When can strange be used instead of peculiar?

In some situations, the words strange and peculiar are roughly equivalent. However, 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 peculiar?

While the synonyms unique and peculiar are close in meaning, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of peculiar Arnold and Engel had to build a visual language that could accommodate the series’ peculiar blend of horror and comedy without tipping too far in either direction. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026 There’s a peculiar feedback loop humming around To Catch a Predator right now. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 The theater’s peculiar sense of humor has raised eyebrows in the past. — Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 But a recent investigation into our recipe archives turned up one dessert from 1969 that was quite peculiar—Pixie Pie. — Josh Miller, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peculiar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peculiar

Adjective

At the recommendation of assistant director of player personnel Jason Stein, the Mets signed Yan to a two-year minor-league deal, an unusual contract for a healthy pitcher.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Her parents approach sexuality head on, almost with glee, which is certainly unusual for their time and place.

— Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

The explanation behind this family man’s strange case is well chronicled in many Chicago and New York news stories.

— Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Symptoms include anxiety, hypervigilance, confusion and mania, and taking on activities that might be considered strange.

— Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

This is uncommon compared to other mental health issues new moms face — postpartum depression, for example, is estimated to affect about 10% of mothers.

— Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
There is too much going on here for this novel to work, but Andersen is an uncommon writer, a skilled historical novelist as well as an astute cultural observer and historical interpreter.

— John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

Cellphones – the kind used to actually talk to people rather than text and post to social media – weren’t mandatory personal equipment yet, though various personalities involved at the time had them.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
The complaint claims the companies' products have been improperly collecting, sharing and selling personal data, like cellphone and vehicle location data.

— Dennis Valera, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of personal

Adjective

Schwab's ambitions past trading are already on the record, delivered in Wurster's characteristic key of unhurried inevitability.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Notable among the findings is a road at least ¾ of a mile long with features, including a zigzagging route, characteristic of Inca construction.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Adjective

In the comics, a Lantern’s ring has several powers in the ballpark of creating physical objects out of light and pure will, but none of them to date — save for John, in one specific story — have been able to store someone’s consciousness.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
While Comer didn’t give a specific location where the breakdown occurred, daytime temperatures in the South China Sea in late July averaged between 89 degrees and 98 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 37 Celsius), weather records show.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of specific

Adjective

Building new housing on two islands in San Francisco, one of the hottest housing markets, involved an extraordinary saga.

— Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026
As his abilities give him access to increasingly sophisticated criminal schemes and extraordinary wealth, he is drawn into a world of luxury, excess and organized cybercrime.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

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“Peculiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peculiar. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of peculiar

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