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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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

Calling animal control to remove stray animals from your neighborhood. — Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2026 Muggy weather will persist into early next week with a stray shower possible. — Cutter Martin, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

Are there stray members of Antaan’s alien faction who came back for further vengeance? — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026 This Rejuvenation coat rack has enough room to house a whole family of coats, umbrellas, and stray grocery totes. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stray

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray

Adjective

Italy imposed the border controls -- which amounted to random police checks at airports and seaports for passengers arriving from Spain -- by claiming a threat to its internal security.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Much like Arya killing the Night King, Bran Stark becoming king of Westeros remains a random and highly controversial choice nearly a decade since the ending of Game of Thrones.

— Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of random

Verb

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
The Tohono O’odham Nation said that even if construction were contained to the Roosevelt Reservation, driving onto tribal land to access the area still constitutes trespassing.

— Mikella Schuettler, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of trespass

Adjective

The scattered pieces of the former storm will likely drift over the Caribbean and soak Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hispaniola with a few inches of rain, some of which will reach Florida.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
The right words can turn scattered details into a workable plan.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of scattered

Adjective

The economists suggest the tax rules are arbitrary and unfair.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026
Ware pointed to a resilient economy and steady core inflation, arguing that stocks would be more vulnerable to a slowdown in either consumer spending or artificial-intelligence investment than to the 10-year crossing an arbitrary threshold.

— Sean Conlon,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026