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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 The nine-figure price tag dictates that his time at the Etihad Stadium will be seen as a relative failure, but his exit leaves a strange CV to assess. Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025 No arrests have been announced and police continue to investigate the strange happenings surrounding Tamayo’s death. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025 In June of that year, the CDC began following this strange and tragic phenomenon. Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025 What a strange feeling to go through the same motions, but with even more mistrust and trepidation. Denise Snodell, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strange
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strange
Adjective
  • The indictment of Adams’ former top advisor came a day after another member of Adams’ inner circle became embroiled in a bizarre apparent bribery attempt involving a news reporter.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
  • This descriptor originated from internet memes about bizarre scenarios happening in the state of Ohio.
    Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • And on Friday in Carmel Valley, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, delivered its trademark blend of fine dining, luxury, and debuts of exotic cars in a setting that felt more garden party than car show.
    Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Seven-foot-tall Whiteside is seen in an Instagram video towering over Eber and Barragan in the driveway, which easily fit almost 20 exotic cars.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • VPPs depend on customer participation, yet many people are unfamiliar with the concept or hesitant to engage without a clear and trusted value proposition.
    Luis D’Acosta, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • This is an unfamiliar position for the Padres, who haven't won a division title since 2006.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Travelers are increasingly experimenting with unusual or risky foods, leading to health issues.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Elliott is constantly evaluating stock, setting aside casks that demonstrate either particularly strong recipe character or unusual depth.
    Emily Price, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Like everybody else in the show, he’s squeezed by the various, weird incentives of a capitalist medical system.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Two-tone paint job and that weird hump of a trunk, remember?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Reuters' special report also documented a 76-year-old man's accidental death after falling in love with a chatbot, showing how elderly users could be vulnerable to Meta's romantic chatbots, too.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Children under 16 are not allowed, making this the perfect spot for a romantic getaway.
    Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Koziol and his father built another novel residential concept for the area in 2019.
    Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Much of the problem is driven by novel mental health challenges to which school systems are still adapting.
    Nona Han, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • While rainbow snakes are not venomous, snake bites are not uncommon in the United States, with approximately 7,000 to 8,000 people bitten by venomous snakes across the country annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
  • This dog's choice of eating grass over running at the park isn't uncommon, but the reason still remains unclear, with several theories floating around, according to an article from PetMD.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strange. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on strange

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