as in wanders
to commit an offense
our straying son swears he's returned to the straight and narrow
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Recent Examples of strays
Her family had 15 cats and several dogs, most of them strays.
—
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
The Alma set is an elevated geometric option for the person who prefers a pattern that strays from the traditional stripe or floral.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 31 Mar. 2026
Bridget Woodman, with the research group Zero Carbon Analytics, said that as the world strays farther off track from its climate goals, nuclear can look deceptively more enticing than other less risky alternatives, like renewable energy.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The best time to trim leggy or strays stems, shoots, vines, and branches is during the plant’s growing season.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Becket questions some of his actions from time to time but never really strays from the path.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Developed by Fox Estates—which also holds the listing—and designed by Studio MTN, the home intentionally strays from typical clichés, forgoing the rustic vibes of classic mountain properties in favor a softer, more restrained style.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 Feb. 2026
Where he was born never strays from Bobby’s mind.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Despite the sidebars into prickly themes, the book never strays far from what its subtitle promises.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
The Alma set is an elevated geometric option for the person who prefers a pattern that strays from the traditional stripe or floral.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 31 Mar. 2026
Bridget Woodman, with the research group Zero Carbon Analytics, said that as the world strays farther off track from its climate goals, nuclear can look deceptively more enticing than other less risky alternatives, like renewable energy.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The best time to trim leggy or strays stems, shoots, vines, and branches is during the plant’s growing season.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Becket questions some of his actions from time to time but never really strays from the path.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Developed by Fox Estates—which also holds the listing—and designed by Studio MTN, the home intentionally strays from typical clichés, forgoing the rustic vibes of classic mountain properties in favor a softer, more restrained style.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 Feb. 2026
Where he was born never strays from Bobby’s mind.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Despite the sidebars into prickly themes, the book never strays far from what its subtitle promises.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strays
Verb
-
The New Zealand singer-songwriter wanders around inside her psychedelic folk arrangements, singing in private riddles and changing the tone of her voice from one song (or even one verse) to the next, seemingly oblivious or indifferent to your presence.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
-
For animal lovers, there’s a house cat that wanders the property, and morning walks may include up-close encounters with Highland cows or a free-roaming peacock.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
On both sides of the street, the sidewalk rises and falls, uprooted and cracked by shallow roots because over many decades, the trees were not properly maintained.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
The youngest Issa falls somewhere in between her sisters’ styles.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
John DeWitt, the four-star general who oversaw the internment program, in particular, seems to be a forerunner to some of America's worst errors, paranoia, sins.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
1 Dec. 2025
-
God’s likeness, which is our true, spiritual identity, never sins and is never punished.—
Tony Lobl,
Christian Science Monitor,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strays. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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