as in wandering
to commit an offense
our straying son swears he's returned to the straight and narrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 straying
Mina Self Oversized Plaid Blazer A plaid blazer is a fall classic that feels fresh without straying too far from timeless.
—
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
After straying from their intended path, the duo became stranded after attempting to descend an extremely steep alpine couloir without climbing equipment.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 13 Oct. 2025
While Jenner is straying further from her old look, Kim Kardashian is paying homage to it.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2025
Still, Crane has crossed the luxury tax during each of the past two seasons, straying from the precedents set earlier in his ownership tenure.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Inside the patchwork design, its detailed patterns with polka dots and geometric shapes modernize the look without straying too far from traditional barn quilts.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
Frampton is adored in Irish boxing circles as a gritty fighter who claimed belts in two divisions without ever straying far from his working-class roots.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
In November 2022, when early reports blamed a Russian missile for straying into Poland and killing two Polish farmers, then-US President Joe Biden was traveling in Indonesia was told about the crisis.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Four hikers who admitted to taking psychedelic mushrooms were rescued in New York’s Catskill Mountains after becoming disoriented and straying off the trail, officials said.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
After straying from their intended path, the duo became stranded after attempting to descend an extremely steep alpine couloir without climbing equipment.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 13 Oct. 2025
While Jenner is straying further from her old look, Kim Kardashian is paying homage to it.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2025
Still, Crane has crossed the luxury tax during each of the past two seasons, straying from the precedents set earlier in his ownership tenure.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Inside the patchwork design, its detailed patterns with polka dots and geometric shapes modernize the look without straying too far from traditional barn quilts.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
Frampton is adored in Irish boxing circles as a gritty fighter who claimed belts in two divisions without ever straying far from his working-class roots.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
In November 2022, when early reports blamed a Russian missile for straying into Poland and killing two Polish farmers, then-US President Joe Biden was traveling in Indonesia was told about the crisis.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Four hikers who admitted to taking psychedelic mushrooms were rescued in New York’s Catskill Mountains after becoming disoriented and straying off the trail, officials said.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straying
Verb
-
The human brain is highly susceptible to often unproductive mind-wandering, and modern technology has only made the problem worse.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The cafe is known for its panoramic view of small planes taking off or landing but also for past concerns about customers wandering off the driveway into the path of taxiing planes.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Our shoulders, hands, and arms may pass through private airspace because the 10th Circuit Court ruled that’s not trespassing.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The notice warned that anyone who remained could be subject to arrest for trespassing.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Shop my favorite airport looks for winter travel below, with each outfit falling at or below $100.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straying. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share