Synonyms of strange

strange

adjective

ˈstrānj 

1

as in bizarre

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion

the strange smell we'd noticed turned out, unhappily, to be from the dinner our host was making

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bizarre
• weird
• odd
• funny
• peculiar
• curious
• erratic
• remarkable
• unusual
• eccentric
• crazy
• abnormal
• unique
• quirky
• wacky
• outlandish
• screwy
• wild
• kinky
• off-the-wall
• quaint
• uncommon
• queer
• funky
• kooky
• offbeat
• rare
• out-of-the-way
• unconventional
• outré
• extraordinary
• way-out
• outrageous
• weirdo
• far-out
• bizarro
• rum
• cranky
• off-kilter
• shocking
• fantastic
• queerish
• outstanding
• freaky
• freakish
• noticeable
• striking
• freak
• aberrant
• spaced-out
• conspicuous
• flaky
• prominent
• atypical
• notable
• phantasmagoric
• phenomenal
• singular
• puzzling
• unwonted
• perplexing
• salient
• baffling
• idiosyncratic
• out-there
• bewildering
• mystifying
• confounding
• unorthodox
• atrocious
• uncustomary
• nonconformist
• crotchety
• addlepated
• nonmainstream

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• normal
• ordinary
• typical
• usual
• standard
• average
• commonplace
• prosaic
• routine
• everyday
• garden
• familiar
• conventional
• conservative
• unremarkable
• unexceptional
• common
• predictable
• run-of-the-mill
• workaday
• frequent
• regular
• expected
• customary
• conformist
• habitual
• knee-jerk
• wonted

2

as in exotic

excitingly or mysteriously unusual

strange fruits from faraway lands

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exotic
• romantic
• marvelous
• foreign
• alien
• picturesque
• outlandish
• colorful
• fascinating
• distant
• glamorous
• fantastic
• bizarro
• dark
• enchanting
• quaint
• magical
• picture-book
• alluring
• remote
• faraway
• captivating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• familiar
• unromantic
• unglamorous
• unexotic
• nonexotic
• plain-Jane
• nonglamorous

3

as in unfamiliar

not known or experienced before

using public transportation was all very strange to a rural girl like her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unfamiliar
• novel
• unprecedented
• new
• fresh
• original
• unheard-of
• unknown
• unique
• unaccustomed
• innovative
• unconventional
• nontraditional
• untried
• pioneering
• unused
• trailblazing
• unworn
• pathbreaking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• familiar
• old
• hackneyed
• tired
• traditional
• conventional
• established
• tried
• time-honored
• warmed-over
• derivative
• imitative
• tried-and-true

4

as in unusual

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced

a rather strange story about a garden filled with poisonous plants

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unusual
• uncommon
• funny
• weird
• rare
• odd
• peculiar
• curious
• extraordinary
• unique
• bizarre
• out-of-the-way
• special
• unaccustomed
• singular
• queer
• offbeat
• abnormal
• eccentric
• uncustomary
• remarkable
• outlandish
• noticeable
• oddball
• outré
• exceptional
• atypical
• noteworthy
• way-out
• kooky
• aberrant
• far-out
• notable
• particular
• irregular
• newsworthy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• ordinary
• usual
• plain
• normal
• familiar
• typical
• unexceptional
• regular
• predictable
• expected

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

Recent Examples of strange

Maxi scooters have always lived a strange life. —New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2026

The voracious reader said that the best books, those that brought him happiness, were not the ones that ease our way in this strange and difficult world. —Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026

What bird is this, and what is this strange behavior? —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026

The Framers were no stranger to partisan manipulation of the electoral system. —Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026