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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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

Several nearby houses were hit by stray bullets, and one man said his van was hit by at least two rounds. — Nick Caloway, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Heat, stray electromagnetic signals, vibrations, and cosmic rays can disrupt their delicate quantum states, causing errors during calculations. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

Telhou uses primal shouts to keep the herd together, while Saâdia uses a slingshot contraption to skillfully throw stones at straying goats. — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026 The Mediterranean diet has been hailed as one of the healthiest styles of eating for longevity and lower disease risk, and boy kibble does stray from the method in its heavy reliance on animal proteins and low diversity of plants, Mulvihill said. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stray

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray

Adjective

And that’s a random sample of years and all 32 teams involved.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026
Following the course of this ship right now is definitely random, but interesting.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of random

Verb

Those who visit the site are trespassing, and Rafford said the owner cites safety concerns.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of trespass

Adjective

Federal prosecutors accuse Maduro and Flores of directing a campaign of political repression involving brutal interrogations, arbitrary detentions and the mistreatment of prisoners.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
On October 9, 2026, a federal district court ruled that the policy exceeds the Justice Department's authority, is arbitrary and capricious, and violates federal law.

— Eric McDaniel, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of arbitrary

Verb

Gouzer is confident that Nara’s auction record will eventually fall.

— Daniel Cassady for ARTnews, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2026
Meanwhile, the Exporters Western Cape, a lobby group, told Ramaphosa before the decision that the province’s exports to the US had already fallen 41% with particularly steep declines in juice, grapes and citrus.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026