1
2
3
4
5
6

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 Vogue unveiled their covers featuring Met Gala co-chairs, rapper A$AP Rocky, actor Colman Domingo, Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton, and a portrait of the ever peculiar Pharrell Williams. Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025 This has put the American Black dandy in a peculiar, paternalistic position. Jeremy O. Harris, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025 For some time, scientists have pondered a peculiar question: Can galaxies exist without an outer halo of dark matter? Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2025 The actor has worn some of the most outstanding styles of the show, and also the most peculiar. Ángela Moreno Vallejo, Glamour, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peculiar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peculiar
Adjective
  • Although not musicians, the Goldbergs quickly realized there was something unusual about their 3-year-old boy.
    Steve Rothaus, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • For one group of six girls living in Waterloo, Canada, their lives took an unusual turn when a couple of very territorial geese decided to claim their front lawn as their own.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And the misfortune is in our participation in that strange loop.
    Akilah Sailers, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The Bengals added Fairchild in the third, so adding another lineman while there were more pressing needs is strange, especially a raw lineman like Rivers.
    Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In crime films with a socially conscious subplot about young people’s painful search for their place in Depression-era society, Garfield developed his natural ability to express an uncommon level of authenticity and truthfulness in any role.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The company promotes its concept of using compact properties, green energy systems and an uncommon construction process reduce costs, allowing lower rents.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is especially true for those of you willing to get more vulnerable in the love and personal relationships department.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
  • With persistence and technical grit, Kairys began producing illustrations that were not only accurate and expressive but deeply personal.
    Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • From its facial expressions to its distinctive chirp, the creature is wreathed in a kind of nostalgia that Eighties kids will remember from those early days trolling the VHS rack at their local Blockbuster.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
  • They were inspired by treasured calligraphy tools, and each brush features a unique walnut handle with distinctive grain.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The specific optimization problem that DQI tackles is roughly this: You’re given a collection of points on a sheet of paper.
    Stephen Ornes, Wired News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Molds belong to the kingdom of Fungi and is a specific form of fungi that grow filament structures known as hyphae.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In the following months, Modi’s government introduced a series of extraordinary initiatives meant to solidify Hindu dominance.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • One minor injury was reported in the extraordinary mishap.
    Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The gay man who was involved in Rep. Nancy Mace’s viral meltdown at an Ulta Beauty store is speaking out about the bizarre incident.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 22 Apr. 2025
  • Even more bizarre was the depth the starlight's dip changed with every transit.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Peculiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peculiar. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on peculiar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!