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Synonym Chooser

How is the word quaint distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of quaint are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is it sensible to use eccentric instead of quaint?

The words eccentric and quaint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Where would erratic be a reasonable alternative to quaint?

While the synonyms erratic and quaint are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When might odd be a better fit than quaint?

In some situations, the words odd and quaint are roughly equivalent. However, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When could outlandish be used to replace quaint?

The synonyms outlandish and quaint are sometimes interchangeable, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

In what contexts can peculiar take the place of quaint?

Although the words peculiar and quaint have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When would singular be a good substitute for quaint?

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

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When is strange a more appropriate choice than quaint?

While in some cases nearly identical to quaint, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When can unique be used instead of quaint?

The meanings of unique and quaint largely overlap; however, 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 quaint Protagonist Shimizu Hinako's quaint Japanese town has been consumed by an evil fog, leaving her to fend for herself in the twisted, monster-haunted ruins that were once her home. Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 6 June 2025 But World Liberty makes renting hotel rooms look quaint by comparison. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 14 May 2025 Looking back, the idea that two newspapers sharing a printing press could violate antitrust laws is laughably quaint. Megan Greenwell, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025 The notion that China and Russia are just competitors is quaint but wrong. Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quaint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quaint
Adjective
  • After a couple of insulting caricatures, increasingly bizarre depictions of the Vice President started to spread through the internet, the trend becoming a competition to see who could create the most hideous, weird or original Vance.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • These clever yet bizarre gadgets are both fun and oddly useful.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • World premiered at Fantasia Festival 2024 and stars Madison Iseman and Aaron Dominguez, who discover and antique pendulum board that’s a dangerous gateway from the past.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Each of his designs begins with such gems—most often an antique diamond.
    Jill Newman, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Death Valley’s Racetrack Playa is home to some very strange rocks.
    Andrew Paul Aug 14, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
  • At the campaign’s first big canvassing event in mid-December, primary field director Tascha Van Auken noticed something strange happening.
    Mark Chiusano, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Barcelona Barcelona boasts 90 vintage shops across the city and has the fourth highest average rating, at 4.64.
    Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The rest are stored in a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk in the attic.
    Parker Henry, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Adam Johnson, The Orphan Master’s Son Set in contemporary North Korea, this epic, harrowing, and darkly funny novel follows a man caught in a totalitarian machine.
    Mark Nevins, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • However, Perry apparently didn’t find the post funny.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The Free Stage is known for drawing crowds with its mix of retro icons and crowd-pleasers.
    Samanta Habashy, IndyStar, 31 July 2025
  • The inclusion of Polaroid cameras is a delightful touch, enhancing the retro vibe and creating lasting memories.
    Ronny Maye, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • In an odd coincidence, The Long Walk actually represents the first of two King novels that were released under his Richard Bachman pen name that have been adapted into films this fall, and both are about dystopian contests.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
  • The roommates did not ultimately find a burglar at the house, but this all occurred at a time when they had been made aware of odd occurrences happening just outside their home.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Gone are the days when antiquated approaches are the only approaches.
    Mark Temnycky, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
  • But, as the country unravelled, her cutesy jokes came to feel almost antiquated, out of touch.
    Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Quaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quaint. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on quaint

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