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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Contact your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 Located at the very front of Roman, this hat-like shade pops open once the observatory reaches orbit, blocking stray light from entering the telescope barrel and helping protect the telescope's sensitive optics throughout the mission. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Verb

Even in the most pluralistic society, straying from the prevailing orthodoxy (or heterodoxy, as the case may be) can land you in trouble. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026 For readers already burned out on pumpkin spice, these releases offer a way to try something new without straying far from the coffee-shop menus that define the season. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 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

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
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.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 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

Verb

About an hour later, the hikers called the sheriff’s office for directions but eventually wandered off the Clear Creek Route and into Mud Creek Canyon.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Outside, addicts wander peg-legged in the pulverizing triple-digit late summer heat, past attorneys in cream sport coats and copper-red ties.

— Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of wander

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