as in wanders
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 strays
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strays
Verb
-
Nicole Kidman exits the theater on her phone and wanders into a side room; Jessie Buckley strolls out of the theater talking about snacks.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Support falls somewhat, to 70%, among non-MAGA Republicans.—
Anne Bryson,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Payton’s falls short of Chamberlain Gary Payton II had a chance to equal the feat of one of the game’s greatest players on Friday.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
28 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 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
