as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
stray sightings of UFO's, none of which have been rigorously analyzed by scientists
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to trespass
to commit an offense
our straying son swears he's returned to the straight and narrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stray
Dan Raby, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Over the last year and a half, McConnell has softened the blow with stray compliments to Trump.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 4 June 2026
Stepner then threw to second to double off the runner, who had strayed too far off the bag.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stray
Adjective
If you have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or an animal suspected to have rabies, seek medial care immediately and let your provider know about the possible exposure.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Over the last year and a half, McConnell has softened the blow with stray compliments to Trump.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Verb
The Piano Man, who was born in the Bronx and raised on Long Island, hasn’t strayed too far from his New York roots.
—Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 4 June 2026
Stepner then threw to second to double off the runner, who had strayed too far off the bag.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
Adjective
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An offshoot of the popular podcast that actor-comedians Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang have hosted since 2016, the award show aims to celebrate the year’s biggest pop culture moments and plays like a fever dream more dazzling and deliciously random than a late-night scroll session on TikTok.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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These aren’t random acquisitions.—
Ivan Guzenko,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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As if breaking the law would offer a symbolic release from this double bind, the third video documents Liden trespassing into the apartment of an anonymous hoarder.—
Erika Landström,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Walking on private ground without permission is clearly trespassing in Montana.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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There will be some scattered rain in cabin country up north Wednesday, but everyone else will see plenty of sun with heat but low humidity.—
Mike Augustyniak,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
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Share a draft, then ask a focused question so collaborators offer helpful edits rather than scattered opinions.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
Verb
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These suede clog mules are an easy choice for everything, including early bakery runs, long travel days, and wandering through mountain towns.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
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Fueled up after a good breakfast, there’s nothing more NorCal than wandering around a farmers market and ogling the seasonal produce.—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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As a result, the exploit can decrement the variable an arbitrary number of times and then delete and free the chain when some objects still point to it.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
9 June 2026
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The French overthrew millennia of arbitrary hereditary rule but soon devolved into terror and war.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Verb
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For the Fever, who entered the season as championship contenders, the first 10 games have fallen well short of expectations, as scrutiny continues to mount on head coach Stephanie White.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
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Migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands peaked in 2024 at nearly 47,000, but have fallen dramatically, with just over 2,000 people landing there in the first four months of 2026.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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