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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strays
Verb
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The story begins with a scene that taps into every parent’s worst fear, when a five-year-old child wanders off from a family birthday party.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
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The permit allows the ranchers to kill any wolf who wanders onto private land on two grazing allotments near the Gila National Forest in Catron County, as well as on federal land within the allotments, if the wolf is actively hurting livestock.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Iranians also continue to argue over who should lead if the current government falls.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
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The peak falls near a first-quarter moon this year, which bodes well for another bright, impressive shower this year, per the Old Farmer’s Almanac.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Mar. 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 11 Mar. 2026.
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