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

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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
In a letter to parents the same day, Jennings said the stray bullets were found at the south end of the campus, which is in line with the gun range. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026 The 33-page report found that 64% of those killed were gang members, while nearly one-third were civilians who were either struck by stray bullets or deliberately killed or assaulted on suspicion of having links with rival gangs. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
My longtime podcast obsession is Omnibus, where Ken Jennings and John Roderick try to talk about an esoteric topic but mostly stray and ramble in the best way possible. — David Pierce, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026 Most of them are thought to be Ukrainian drones that strayed off course due to Russian electronic jamming. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 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
  • The show’s first two episodes feature scenes of shadowboxing, random bouts of wrestling and friendly teasing between players and coaches in between the hustle and bustle of an NFL training camp.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Made by stacking general-purpose dynamic random access memory, HBM is the highest bandwidth memory capable of rapid data access that helps AI processors execute tasks.
    — Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of random
Verb
  • There can also be other charges associated with crossing the border that aren't directly related to trespassing onto military land.
    — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • People will be able to legally — and easily — access the property without trespassing.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of trespass
Adjective
  • During a walk through the park, CBS News Philadelphia also found scattered screws, metal fragments and broken glass in parts of the lawn.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • The right conversation could turn scattered effort into a working plan.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
Definition of scattered
Verb
  • Now, in 2026, for just 10,000 won (US$7), adults can wander the derelict site.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The scene was strikingly low-key, almost at odds with the life-altering decision many of the teenagers wandering past his table were weighing.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of wander
Adjective
  • Its attempts to do so, most notably by interweaving elements of 1939’s The Wizard of Oz — including a CGI lion voiced by Colman Domingo — are heavy-handed acts of fan service that feel arbitrary.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Indeed, the representatives of that Government assert that the people of Hawaii are unfit for popular government and frankly avow that they can be best ruled by arbitrary or despotic power.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Verb
  • Brokerages price crypto like an asset class, a few dozen basis points and falling.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Kabita quickly fell pregnant with a daughter of her own, Sonam.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 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 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stray

Nglish: Translation of stray for Spanish Speakers

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