QUAINTNESS Synonyms: 194 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

quaint

adjective

ˈkwānt

Definition of quaint

as in bizarre

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion the sudden appearance of a man dressed in quaint clothes immediately drew the notice of passersby

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in antique

pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time a quaint general store on one of the back roads of Vermont

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The official kickoff temperature was a quaint 83 degrees. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 June 2026 Meanwhile, the comparison to Rose and his baseball gambling scandal seems almost quaint when set against the realities of today. — ABC News, 10 June 2026 Town governments in the typically quaint suburbs of Foxboro and the surrounding area have hard regulations on short-term rentals, with most communities requiring properties to be rented out for at least 12 months. — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026 For gardens with an olde California vibe, wander the grounds at Filoli, the grand estate in Woodside, then maybe drive over Highway 92 to Half Moon Bay for the quaintest, sea-shanty-ist spot on the coast. — David Hochman, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for quaint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quaint

Adjective

But at the end of this bizarre game in Miami, this silly 6-4 thriller, this giddy attacking exhibition of some of the world’s best players, and some of the world’s worst defending, England were on the winning side.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Southwest’s bizarre seat assignments and enforcement policies may have had operational roots, but customers assumed the worst.

— Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

Coupled with the pair’s extensive collection of antique furniture, the result is a shockingly precocious home, one that is mature beyond its years.

— Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 20 July 2026
In recent years, Sestri Levante has gained recognition for its efforts to preserve the leudo, an antique Ligurian vessel, dating from the Middle Ages, that was once used to transport food and wine.

— Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of antique

Adjective

While Deliverance follows more or less in the footsteps of Blackwater Park, Damnation digs into a strange new realm for the band, uncovering something even darker.

— Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026
Downstate, the threat of black vultures still feels new and strange.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

An Oregon teenager paid $3 for a vintage uniform worn by one of basketball’s all-time greats.

— Casey Parks, Washington Post, 18 July 2026
Coral necklaces are enjoying a new wave of popularity thanks to the resurgence of vintage aesthetics and, above all, the magnificent jewelry of the 1980s, now highly sought-after at flea markets and specialty shops.

— Selene Oliva, Glamour, 18 July 2026

Definition of vintage

Adjective

The 26-year-old Houston native was an instant draw for audiences, who connected with her funny, outspoken—yet still plenty vulnerable—personality.

— Rachel Brodsky, Time, 14 July 2026
More than just funny mistakes Spoonerisms are only one kind of speech error.

— Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

During the presentation of the winners’ medals, many of Romero’s team-mates stayed down the other end of the pitch, with their backs to the ceremony (although there was the odd exception, such as Alexis Mac Allister).

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Offering caregiving support may seem odd for a financial advising firm, but more than 63 million Americans (nearly one in four adults) are caregivers, and nearly one in three support both a parent and a child, AARP said.

— Medora Lee, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Definition of odd

Adjective

But Merrywood’s charms, both elegant and antiquated, might face the wrecking ball later this year.

— Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
During his Superman press tour last year, Nicholas Hoult paraded around New York City wearing oversized totes, including the Prada Buckle antiquated leather bag.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 10 July 2026

Definition of antiquated

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quails

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quais

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“Quaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quaint. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of quaint

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