STRAY Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

stray 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of stray

as in random

lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern stray sightings of UFO's, none of which have been rigorously analyzed by scientists

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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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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of stray

Adjective

That the actress put in the work to match the character’s muscular physique is no doubt impressive, but the number of stray shots of women’s buttocks makes the film feel uncomfortable retrograde. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 The drunken Ken spends his time on such things as warbling a karaoke version of a 4 Non Blondes song while an unkempt Ryu is a purveyor of ramen so bad even a stray cat won’t eat it. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

Telhou uses primal shouts to keep the herd together, while Saâdia uses a slingshot contraption to skillfully throw stones at straying goats. — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026 The Mediterranean diet has been hailed as one of the healthiest styles of eating for longevity and lower disease risk, and boy kibble does stray from the method in its heavy reliance on animal proteins and low diversity of plants, Mulvihill said. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stray

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray

Adjective

The audit, released Monday, identified a host of issues, including regulators’ failure to meet regular inspection schedules or to conduct sufficient random checks at dispensaries for contaminated products.

— Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
There is nothing truly random about whether a coin comes up heads or tails.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of random

Verb

Those who visit the site are trespassing, and Rafford said the owner cites safety concerns.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
Israel wages war on childhood because a Palestinian child at play is already trespassing upon the future Israel has reserved for itself.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of trespass

Adjective

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found al-Faraj’s detention arbitrary, according to a report published in December 2024.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
Someone set the arbitrary number at ten, and the whole point of the exercise is to whittle the list down to ten.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of arbitrary

Verb

In most cases where the acquirer is en route to paying a price amounting to a humongous PE, the acquirer’s stock falls.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
The Orionid meteor shower creates one of the most brilliant displays in the night sky each fall — but this year’s celestial event may have a dimmer showing due to a bright moon.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026