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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 There is a ton of depth on this team, which is a strange thing to say about a team that isn’t expected to be very good. Josh Yohe, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 As a result, there are other strange population questions to consider. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2025 Married Zack Goytowski and Bliss Poureetezadi had one of the stranger journeys on Love Is Blind, mainly because Zack initially broke up with Bliss in favor of Irina Solomonova, who proved herself to be perhaps the meanest contestant in the show's history. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025 Irwin is no stranger to stripping down after doing just that for an April underwear campaign for Australian brand Bonds. Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strange
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strange
Adjective
  • Tactically, the most notable feature of the final was how regularly the two goalkeepers found themselves in bizarre positions, rushing out to close down attackers in wide areas.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Shortly after the in-person meeting, Kacie bowed out in one of the most bizarre breakups ever shown.
    Emily Longeretta, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Anyone planning to bring an exotic animal into Kentucky is required to have transportation permit.
    Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, there are more exotic possibilities that cannot be ruled out, at present, as well.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • All this because a political debate has arisen, where the main players are politicians from 30 years ago, very conservative, who are unfamiliar with innovation.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • From day one, new consultants rotate across industries, geographies, and functions, adapting on the fly and mastering unfamiliar businesses.
    Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This is not particularly unusual, and in a traditional 4-2-3-1 system, forcing a team down one side is effective.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The lawsuit is the first to challenge the administration's unusual use of partisan messaging in government communications during the shutdown, which legal experts told NPR may violate federal ethics laws.
    Shannon Bond, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The weird winning season Derek Anderson The Browns have had four winning seasons since 1999, with three of them (2002, 2020, 2023) leading to the playoffs.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • There is something weird about the audio part of it all.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, today a friendship could turn romantic.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Cassie and another accuser, Jane, told jurors that Diddy brought them into his troubled world under the false auspices of a romantic relationship.
    Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In a summer of new adventures, ranging from kung fu training at a Shaolin temple in China to bicycle kicks on a soccer pitch in Japan, Wembanyama wanted to try one more novel thing.
    Jared Weiss, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Spring 2026 presentations staged here last week offered novel interpretations of sartorial codes, ranging from sleek minimalism to ’80s power dressing.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, acute gastrointestinal illness is fairly uncommon on cruise ships, the agency says.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Devine noted that tariffs on cotton imports are uncommon in textile producing countries since the nations want to support the sector.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strange. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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