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strange land
surreal land
foreign land
unknown land
strange feelings
peculiar feelings
bizarre feelings
odd feelings
unusual feelings
weird feelings
strange behavior
bizarre behavior
suspicious behavior
odd behavior
unusual behavior
unexpected behavior
strange noises
unusual noises
scary noises
curious noises
peculiar noises
disturbing noises

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 Wingard’s sequel is a bit more abstract than its predecessor, focusing too much on strange world-building and too little on the battle between our two beloved heavies. EW.com, 8 May 2025 This seems to be more of a strange coincidence, but one that New York fans are running with. Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 The Red Sox faced an early deficit thanks in part to a strange play in the top of the third inning. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 8 May 2025 The Bengals added Fairchild in the third, so adding another lineman while there were more pressing needs is strange, especially a raw lineman like Rivers. Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strange
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strange
Adjective
  • Sinner won a bizarre semifinal in his first tournament back from a three-month doping ban, while Alcaraz triumphed in a sloppy duel.
    Sam Settleman, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Known for its deluge of gruesome deaths that just get more bizarre with each iteration, Final Destination is now returning for a sixth movie.
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Is there an opportunity to launch a new exotic or trendy flavor to pique the interest of younger shoppers looking for intriguing snacks?
    Michael Della Penna, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
  • The other is a cruiser that can sustain itself in hypersonic flight using exotic propulsion, such as scramjet engines.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • Kennedy has, at times, seemed unfamiliar with programs and staff that had been cut, and suggested as many as 20% of the people fired could be brought back if they are deemed essential.
    Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 13 May 2025
  • Others view them as a hazard, especially for people unfamiliar with how to drive through them.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • In that respect, Alonso is not necessarily unusual.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • Kehoe’s hands-on involvement with the proposal, which is unusual for a sitting governor, poses a big test of his political clout after spending years as a prominent Jefferson City businessman.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • In this instance there was a weird misunderstanding about which some of the people on the WGA Board chose to assume the worst.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025
  • My 16-year-old daughter and I have been searching for self-tanners that actually look natural, not orange, and don’t leave behind weird patches, streaks, or smells on our skin or clothes.
    Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Within weeks of Molly’s arrival in Ireland, her relationship with Jason evolved from professional to romantic.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 10 May 2025
  • Skip the middleman and devise your own romantic tale.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • This novel approach to reducing friction helps high-end movements' precision, durability, and efficiency.
    Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • In November -- Cannes Market One of the most iconic action heroes in U.S. cinema, the character was created by David Morell in his novel First Blood.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Then again, this drought is uncommon for the 22-year-old center fielder.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • At the time, the method was uncommon in Texas, according to Michelle Johnson, project manager of the William J. Hill Texas Artisans and Artists Archive at the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
    Jacoba Urist, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strange. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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