1
2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word strange distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of strange are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When might eccentric be a better fit than strange?

The meanings of eccentric and strange largely overlap; however, 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 strange?

The words erratic and strange can be used in similar contexts, but erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

In what contexts can odd take the place of strange?

Although the words odd and strange have much in common, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of strange?

While in some cases nearly identical to strange, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When would peculiar be a good substitute for strange?

The synonyms peculiar and strange are sometimes interchangeable, but peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When is quaint a more appropriate choice than strange?

In some situations, the words quaint and strange are roughly equivalent. However, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to strange?

While the synonyms singular and strange are close in meaning, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When can unique be used instead of strange?

The words unique and strange are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 strange What a strange, heartbreaking and beautiful world. David Oliver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025 The strange power of a three-decade-old song dominating summer playlists is no accident. Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025 In the last few years, researchers have stumbled upon baffling signals from deep space, uncovered strange features hiding beneath our oceans, and found clues that hint at life’s secrets on other worlds. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025 Yet even among these strange, hard-to-classify celestial objects, The Accident, located 50 light-years from Earth and believed to be between 10 billion and 12 billion years old, stands out. Robert Lea, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strange
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strange
Adjective
  • But everything changes when a string of gruesome killings—which grow increasingly bizarre, with victims covered in rashes and found in deranged, violent states—involves his young daughter Hyo-jin (Kim Hwan-hee).
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Paxton’s interest in Paul’s plight was bizarre, obsessive and so far beyond normal operations at the attorney general’s office that the agency’s top officials struggled to convey their concerns during the hourslong meeting with two FBI agents.
    Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This isn't just about exotic imports—we're talking about fundamental ingredients that define American restaurant menus.
    Phil Lempert, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The video montage showed Sharon and Kelly interacting with exotic birds at Cornwall Falconry in England.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Recent studies suggest that competing on surfaces with unfamiliar mechanical properties – such as stiffness and elasticity – can accelerate neuromuscular fatigue.
    Michael Hales, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Later, while sifting through their collections, researchers noticed three unfamiliar-looking fish, the 2025 study said.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This is an unusual feature for a screen that’s designed for color-critical design tasks.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • When Macron was here, Mick Jagger was there with his girlfriend, which is quite unusual.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The second reason is that these aura battler designs were very complex and full of curves as well as weird angles.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Things get weird, however, when the lines between science fiction and fantasy start to blur.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In this state, the nervous system’s fight-or-flight response takes priority, inhibiting relaxation, pleasure and trust, which make for the key ingredients of romantic connection.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The history of when to break romantic tension on a TV series often has an outsized impact on the reception or even lifespan of that series.
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This novel rocks just as hard as its heroine, Opal, a badass Black singer in the ‘60s and ‘70s made in the image of icons like Grace Jones and Betty Davis.
    Lauren Morrow September 9, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
  • This allows bitBiome researchers to identify novel genes to insert into a standard laboratory protein-production organism and generate samples of potentially interesting new versions of the enzymes or proteins encoded by the isolated gene sequences.
    Steven Savage, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The workers may be shackled or handcuffed, and torture is not uncommon.
    Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • While that's not uncommon, Powell warned that Snitker might regret that decision as Acuna has earned the right to hold onto a leading spot amid a slump.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strange. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on strange

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!