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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in eerie
fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic
uncanny and unexpected shadows along the mountainsides
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uncanny
Diabate is relentless and has an uncanny knack for the ball, endearing himself to his teammates with his penchant for keeping the ball alive or snatching offense rebounds off the glass.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Leap has an uncanny ability to find bones and carcasses anywhere and then parade them in front of her friends.
—Abigail Wise, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
There are newspaper clippings, from the 1950s through to the 2000s, concerning ghost sightings, or reports of poltergeists in market towns or children who appear to possess uncanny extrasensory powers.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Max Schreck’s uncanny performance and makeup design were absolutely mesmerizing, as was the film’s unparalleled haunting atmosphere, made all the more palpable by the grainy 16mm transfer to VHS.
—Robert Eggers, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncanny
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Leap has an uncanny ability to find bones and carcasses anywhere and then parade them in front of her friends.
—Abigail Wise, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
There are newspaper clippings, from the 1950s through to the 2000s, concerning ghost sightings, or reports of poltergeists in market towns or children who appear to possess uncanny extrasensory powers.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Max Schreck’s uncanny performance and makeup design were absolutely mesmerizing, as was the film’s unparalleled haunting atmosphere, made all the more palpable by the grainy 16mm transfer to VHS.
—Robert Eggers, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncanny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncanny
Adjective
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In a decadent Venetian hotel, androgynous Eva is drawn to the mysterious Contessa.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
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When a mysterious prankster befalls the town of Middlesburg, 13-year-old Frances McCausland (Erin Chambers) gets blamed for the mischief.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This creature’s strength is superhuman, which is unfortunate for anyone who happens to provoke him.—
Lindsey Bahr,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
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Moments that remind you that not every hero needs a cape or superhuman strength to uplift the world.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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From an island shaped like a battleship to a village said to be home to a legendary witch, explore seven of the world’s eeriest, most mysterious destinations.—
Sarah Hutter,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
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Over the years, in a third-floor guestroom (3327) where the woman stayed, guests have reported a number of strange and eerie occurrences.—
Noreen Kompanik,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Welch announced their album Everybody Scream back in August, following a few cryptic teasers.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
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This led many fans to believe that online discussions and interviews referencing his expiring contract were part of an elaborate storyline, given Kross's cryptic persona.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The bad feelings flared up moments after Payton's Broncos pulled off a miraculous rally on Sunday, beating New York 33-32 in a game that Denver trailed by 18 with six minutes left.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
22 Oct. 2025
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Since defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos and raising expectations around the NFL, the Chargers have been on a less-than-stellar stretch in which their only victory in their past four games was a miraculous, last-minute win over the struggling Miami Dolphins.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While not entirely up to par with its predecessor, its incorporation of the Amityville house murders, Joseph Bishara's haunting musical score, and Wan's hyper-frenzied direction should still leave most Conjuring fans satisfied.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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Yet that depth is what makes Battle Royale so haunting.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Helena, meanwhile, was supposedly a mystic receiving directions from spiritual masters hidden in the Himalayas.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
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This was the danger Madison considered — that mystic memory would falsely elevate the Constitution.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Although Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy reprised their roles as the magical trio for the 2022 sequel, Birch, Katz and Shaw were not present for the onscreen reunion.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
25 Oct. 2025
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Enjoying a swimming hole in the summer is a prime Vermont pastime, but the state's waterways are just as magical in the colder months.—
Megan Margulies,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncanny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncanny. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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