Synonyms of uncanniness

uncanniness 1 of 2

noun

as in mysteriousness

the quality or state of being impossible to know, understand, or explain

a sly smile only added to the uncanniness of her cryptic response to my innocent question

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mysteriousness
• ambiguity
• impenetrability
• inscrutability
• obscurity
• darkness
• vagueness
• profundity
• equivocality
• murkiness
• numinousness
• incomprehensibility
• unintelligibility
• inexplicability
• inscrutableness
• deepness
• unknowability
• abstruseness
• shadowiness
• equivocalness
• esotericism
• unintelligibleness
• inexplicableness
• unanswerability
• hermetism
• abstrusity
• reconditeness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• intelligibility
• understandability
• clarity
• transparency
• obviousness
• plainness
• straightforwardness
• self-evidence

uncanny

2 of 2

adjective

ˌən-ˈka-nē 

1

as in mysterious

being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain

a number of uncanny parallels in the lives of the twins who had been separated at birth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mysterious
• cryptic
• mystic
• enigmatic
• enigmatical
• obscure
• unexplainable
• deep
• dark
• inscrutable
• ambiguous
• murky
• mystical
• vague
• occult
• arcane
• impenetrable
• confusing
• metaphysical
• inexplicable
• fuzzy
• esoteric
• incomprehensible
• supernatural
• shadowy
• unfathomable
• imponderable
• unintelligible
• unaccountable
• unknowable
• darkling
• equivocal
• puzzling
• baffling
• perplexing
• unanswerable
• numinous
• unsearchable
• confounding
• recondite
• disorienting
• abstruse
• bewildering
• mystifying
• befuddling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• understandable
• intelligible
• apparent
• obvious
• evident
• unmistakable
• clear
• manifest
• palpable
• unequivocal
• fathomable
• unambiguous
• plain
• straightforward
• transparent
• perspicuous
• open-and-shut
• patent

2

as in superhuman

being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature

an uncanny gift for knowing when someone, no matter how distant, needed help

Synonyms & Similar Words

• superhuman
• miraculous
• magical
• remarkable
• strange
• unique
• supernatural
• phenomenal
• transcendental
• bizarre
• eerie
• outstanding
• marvellous
• peculiar
• unearthly
• preternatural
• transcendent
• supernormal
• curious
• unusual
• marvelous
• rare
• uncommon
• weird
• eery
• grotesque
• fantastical
• unnatural
• puzzling
• singular
• funny
• outrageous
• baffling
• quirky
• perplexing
• striking
• freakish
• quaint
• idiosyncratic
• outlandish
• shocking
• fantastic
• confounding
• prodigious
• wacky
• kinky
• out-of-the-way
• atypical
• outré
• whacky
• unconventional
• notable
• mystifying
• unwonted
• bewildering
• aberrant
• noticeable
• screwy
• far-out
• conspicuous
• way-out
• salient
• wild
• unorthodox
• queer
• freak
• prominent
• queerish
• flaky
• uncustomary

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ordinary
• usual
• typical
• average
• commonplace
• prosaic
• everyday
• familiar
• routine
• garden
• unremarkable
• predictable
• unexceptional
• common
• expected
• frequent
• workaday
• customary
• regular
• run-of-the-mill
• habitual
• wonted

3

as in eerie

fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic

uncanny and unexpected shadows along the mountainsides

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eerie
• haunting
• eery
• creepy
• weird
• spooky
• unearthly
• bizarre
• unusual
• mysterious
• spectral
• terrifying
• spookish
• ghostly
• uncommon
• curious
• odd
• ghoulish
• peculiar
• quirky
• ghastly
• ghostlike
• enigmatical
• quaint
• outlandish
• enigmatic
• supernatural
• metaphysical
• outré
• puzzling
• preternatural
• horrifying
• inscrutable
• horrible
• terrible
• unaccustomed
• queerish
• fearsome
• dreadful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• normal
• ordinary
• usual
• typical
• commonplace
• everyday
• natural
• routine
• prosaic
• unremarkable
• familiar
• unexceptional
• predictable
• expected

Synonym Chooser

How is the word uncanny distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words eerie and weird are common synonyms of uncanny. While all three words mean "mysteriously strange or fantastic," uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness.

an uncanny resemblance between total strangers

In what contexts can eerie take the place of uncanny?

The words eerie and uncanny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eerie suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work.

an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid

When would weird be a good substitute for uncanny?

Although the words weird and uncanny have much in common, weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress peculiarity or oddness.

weird creatures from another world

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of uncanniness

Adjective

Stavridis, however, said the potential ship renaming is uncanny, especially during a month established to celebrate gay rights. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 6 June 2025

Fraser reveals an uncanny pattern of polluting smelters and the men brought up in their shadows, prone to mood swings and erratic tantrums. —Hamilton Cain, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025

Rodgers even had an uncanny ability to connect on Hail Mary throws. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 June 2025

One of the most revealing discoveries by law enforcement was a manuscript entitled Points of Origin, a novel Orr wrote with moments mirroring the real-life fires with uncanny specificity. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 4 June 2025