strayed

Definition of strayednext
past tense of stray

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 strayed Some of that era’s optimism has since waned, as the prevailing conversation in hip-hop these days is a sense that the genre has strayed too far from its roots. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2026 Characters who strayed were guided back into alignment, not violently eliminated. Will Ripley, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026 Arkansas, however, strayed away from its identity and quickly fell behind 15 points at halftime. Arkansas Online, 12 Jan. 2026 The discussion quickly strayed from the main issue at hand, Brown said, blaming Martinez for not setting a civil tone at the start of the meeting. Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026 And that comet that strayed into our turf from another star? Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025 An interstellar comet strayed into our solar system and scientists have been rushing to study this sample from beyond ever since (even during a government shutdown). Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2025 Lopez’s thoughts turned to those who may have strayed from the faith, the priestly role in bringing them back and the importance of Christmas in perhaps sparking that return. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025 After their home was destroyed, the Ash People strayed from the typical spiritual Na'vi ideology in favor of a darker one, prioritizing fire and technological advancement. Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strayed
Verb
  • Kelly insisted to the Washington Examiner that they were invited into the church, countering claims that the protesters trespassed.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 22 Jan. 2026
  • The suit also alleges agents regularly trespassed on private property and used riot weapons, like tear gas, on people who weren’t resisting.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Antoine’s trees were eventually felled after the plantation changed hands multiple times after the death of enslaver Roman.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
  • For every tree felled in the development of the hotel, two saplings were planted, and what's more, for every day that a guest decides to forgo housekeeping, a new tree will be planted (there's a nifty switch in your room so staff know).
    Grainne McBride, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Jacob Roggeveen, a lawyer turned explorer, had wandered about the Pacific with three ships and found nothing.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Those who perished include 90-year-old Doreen Ellis, a Crown Heights resident with dementia who wandered out of her apartment into the frigid air Sunday night.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Strayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strayed. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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