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
Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 3 Feb. 2026
The victim, Magdalene Mancho, was shot by a stray bullet that entered her home, the Star-Telegram previously reported.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Emily Lorsch, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Find the itinerary below; some festival dates will stray from the Bleed American theme.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stray
Adjective
Music that’s composed of a thousand stray fragments, while still having a beating heart.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 3 Feb. 2026
The victim, Magdalene Mancho, was shot by a stray bullet that entered her home, the Star-Telegram previously reported.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Inflation has weighed on shoppers, and customers have voiced frustration over cluttered stores and inconsistent merchandise that strayed from the retailer’s identity as a polished, affordable-chic chain.
—Emily Lorsch, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Find the itinerary below; some festival dates will stray from the Bleed American theme.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
Adjective
-
Threema uses a random ID rather than a phone number.—
Jennifer Lutz,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
These simulations weren’t random.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The lights and constant community presence helped prevent people from trespassing on the property or in nearby alleyways, Blochowicz said.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
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According to the Santa Clara Police Department, Alex Gonzalez, 25, and Sebastian Rivera Jimenez, 24, were arrested at the stadium during the game for allegedly trespassing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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His scattered family, like so many others, reflects the extraordinary exodus of almost 8 million Venezuelans — regarded as the largest-ever displacement of people in the Americas.—
Mery Mogollon,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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More scattered sleet, snow and ice are expected for the afternoon, before widespread precipitation is predicted to return Saturday night.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the structures go up, penguins and seals wander by to observe the team’s progress.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
An old man wandering in the dark.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The colonists were subject to arbitrary taxation, warrantless searches, standing armies in their homes, and other evils at the hands of the crown.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
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Judges could reason the NCAA interpreting rules to allow pros from some leagues, but not others, is hypocritical and arbitrary.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The wait time can fall anywhere between six minutes and six hours.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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Dua Lipa and Callum Turner, as a powerhouse couple, that fall more in step with the likes of Hailey and Justin Bieber’s individual style statements than, say, Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet’s joint method dressing.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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