stray 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of straynext
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

stray

2 of 2

verb

as in to trespass
to commit an offense our straying son swears he's returned to the straight and narrow

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 stray
Adjective
Researchers also measured static electric fields by observing how stray fields displaced the ion from its resting position. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026 Neighbors called 911 when stray bullets entered a child’s bedroom in a nearby house, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
She’s strayed only a few times, trying other brands and Brooks styles, but always goes back to this specific style. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Finally, the report argues that Yale has strayed from its focus on rigor and academic excellence. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
  1. random
  2. trespass
  3. scattered
  4. wander
  5. arbitrary
  6. fall
Adjective
  • Luka Dončić got traded at midnight on a random Saturday in February.
    — David Aldridge, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • Pinned to their random assortment of hats were scrawled, handmade signs proclaiming liberty or death.
    — Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of random
Verb
  • How the climbing couple got past security Prosecutors told the judge on July 2 that the defendants had trespassed overnight in the building before making the climb.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Instead of Cady as rapist, Cape Fear seems to be going for a general theme of Cady as violator, someone who is trespassing not singularly on a female body but on the Bowdens’ trustworthiness.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Definition of trespass
Adjective
  • The right conversation could turn scattered effort into a working plan.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • If your data is messy, scattered or stale, the AI output fails.
    — Sagi Eliyahu, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of scattered
Verb
  • However, because his hearing aids connected directly to the ringtone, the two ended up wandering around the house, using the changing volume to narrow down its location instead of listening for the phone itself.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
  • Modeled after a European village, the collection of boutiques, restaurants, and attractions is a great place to wander.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026
Definition of wander
Adjective
  • Every state taxes alcoholic beverages, though the tax treatment of certain alcoholic beverages may appear arbitrary.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • The war period saw its own moments of threats to rights, such as suspending habeas corpus, the legal mechanism to prevent arbitrary detention.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Verb
  • Some older employees who have benefited from a booming stock market may be retiring feeling comfortable with their 401(k)s, though that doesn’t explain why the participation rate for people ages 25 to 55 has fallen.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 9 July 2026
  • But for some Atlanta businesses, the major soccer tournament has fallen far short of expectations.
    — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of fall

Browse Nearby Words

straws in the wind
stray
strayed
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Cite this Entry

“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stray

Nglish: Translation of stray for Spanish Speakers

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