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
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
Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 26 May 2025
Protect Hardware When Painting Painting can result in a real mess when stray streaks and drips land on handles, knobs, and pulls.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
Meanwhile, those who don’t want to stray too far from Santa Cruz can find another fascinating community in the form of San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Adjective
If your nightstand, desk, or kitchen counter is full of stray cables, this is an easy and affordable way to get them under control.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 26 May 2025
Protect Hardware When Painting Painting can result in a real mess when stray streaks and drips land on handles, knobs, and pulls.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
Verb
The driver allowed the motorcyclist to stray from a direct course of travel, and the vehicle left the roadway to the right.
—Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
Meanwhile, those who don’t want to stray too far from Santa Cruz can find another fascinating community in the form of San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
Adjective
-
But all that information exists in random, unorganized disorder.—
Jerry Weissman,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Watch any random movie in the Cannes selection and you’re bound to see a parade of opening credits signaling production resources from across Europe, including many national film funds.—
Eric Kohn,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
The lawsuit argued that the two oil companies were public nuisances, that their pollution was trespassing into the counties, and that their pollution violated the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
12 May 2025
-
He was accused of trespassing and ignoring warnings to leave the Delaney Hall facility.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
Across the street, walking to their apartments, Marta Becerra, 50, and Margarita Mota, 60, said people from the parking structure had wandered into their apartment complex, stealing bicycles and other items from people’s porches.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
-
Any Colorado wolves that wander into Utah, New Mexico or Arizona will be retrieved and brought back to the Centennial State, under agreements state wildlife officials inked with those neighboring states.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Businesses now live in fear of retroactive rulings, arbitrary penalties and endless audits.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
The risks include wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.—
Nick Butler,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Heavy rain is falling across the Kansas City area, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning for parts of the metro.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
-
Disproportionate burden of care Traditionally, child care and household duties fall squarely on mothers.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share