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
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
Shah hopes this framework strays from rigid nutrition advice that tells women to get on restrictive diets that demonize certain foods and are hard to follow and sustain.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 30 Dec. 2025
In the final slide of the post, the actress shares a video clip of one unusual decoration at her home that seemingly strays from the Christmas theme.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
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, 7 Nov. 2025
Merciless, vile, and downright sadistic, The Rite delivers stunning entertainment that strays away from depending on shadows and eerie atmospheres.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Balenciaga strays away from a more experimental fashion approach the maison has been pushing under Demna, but also under its founder.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2025
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
Shah hopes this framework strays from rigid nutrition advice that tells women to get on restrictive diets that demonize certain foods and are hard to follow and sustain.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 30 Dec. 2025
In the final slide of the post, the actress shares a video clip of one unusual decoration at her home that seemingly strays from the Christmas theme.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
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, 7 Nov. 2025
Merciless, vile, and downright sadistic, The Rite delivers stunning entertainment that strays away from depending on shadows and eerie atmospheres.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Balenciaga strays away from a more experimental fashion approach the maison has been pushing under Demna, but also under its founder.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strays
Verb
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Marcloid wanders patiently through these generative soundscapes like a documentarian in thrall to the process, recording snapshots of the music’s continuous ecosystem.—
Maxie Younger,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
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When Elizabeth wanders down below and sees the Creature, the two are mesmerized by one another.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When night falls over the ship, step into the theater to see a jaw-dropping performance.—
Megan duBois,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The State of Texas must pick up on compassionate border security that picks up where the Federal Government falls short.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 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
Cite this Entry
“Strays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strays. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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