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 2022, a Chinese rocket unintentionally hit the moon following a lunar mission, and many more stray rocket pieces likely struck the moon in decades past without scientists’ knowledge. — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 For a time, a stray tiniest doll served as the Christ Child in a makeshift crèche. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
But for the most part, the further the narrative strays from the search at its center, the clunkier its reliance on synecdoche becomes. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 The union representing Central Park carriage horse drivers says stray voltage from underground electric cables could have caused the accident that killed a teenager last month. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 30 July 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
  • Those reactions can look like freak weather, but the judgment underneath them isn’t random.
    — ESMT Berlin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In partnership with research firm ETC Institute, the city also mailed surveys to a random sample of at least 500 households across Elgin.
    — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of random
Verb
  • Police say riders have been trespassing in MDOT work zones, including areas associated with the Restore I-94 project, where large dirt and aggregate piles have been used as obstacle courses.
    — Gino Vicci, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The Court ruled that easements permitting the location of Line 5 across Tribal lands expired in 2013 and Enbridge in effect has been trespassing since.
    — Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 4 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
  • Go skiing in Gudauri, trek through Tusheti, or wander in the ancient cave cities of Vardzia and Uplistsikhe.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Kelcee Smith There’s something almost magical about wandering through the collections of a natural history museum.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of wander
Adjective
  • The Geneva Conventions, a set of treaties governing the conduct of warring parties, which were ratified in the aftermath of the Second World War, forbid the arbitrary detention of civilians.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But many residents believed the resulting assessment calculations were arbitrary, according to Ben Glickman, vice chair of the LLAD advisory committee.
    — Haley Parsley August 9, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Verb
  • For years, the FDA has fallen far short on meeting its modest annual goals for foreign food facility inspections, the US Government Accountability Office has found, as the agency struggled to hire and train inspectors.
    — Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • On Monday, an 18-year-old was seriously injured after falling onto an elevated platform.
    — Ubah Ali, CBS News, 6 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 12 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stray

Nglish: Translation of stray for Spanish Speakers

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