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 next

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 In their ongoing quest to revolutionize agriculture, Deere leaders brought newspaper reporters to a demonstration farm in the 1910s, showing them the peculiar concept of a farm without horses, Dahlstrom said. —

Tyler Jett, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 There’s a peculiar kind of vertigo that comes with being an affluent American in 2026. —

Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026 Don't miss the peculiar glacial potholes that dot the popular Pothole Trail, some with natural bridges. —

Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026 For a place all too keen to forget the old in favor of new stars, new mandates, and new trends, Hollywood had a peculiar way of never letting Bernard forget her. —

Joshua John Miller, Vanity Fair, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peculiar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peculiar

Adjective

The barbed fact is that the woman caught in the middle of this unusual male arrangement benefits from none of their newfound emotional enlightenment.

— Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Trent Richardson and Saquon Barkley are the only running backs who have been drafted in the top three picks in the last two decades of the NFL draft, but Jeremiyah Love joins that group as the Cardinals take the unusual move of drafting a back this high.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026