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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Like a smarter, blunter Forrest Gump, Kilgo had an uncanny knack during a 60-year media career for being around the right college basketball team at the right time.
—
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
In the work, traditional folklore and marvelous, uncanny incidents are often the sites of resistance against colonialism or enslavement.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Freeman has had an uncanny knack for goals from his position, scoring six times last year for Orlando and twice already for the USMNT – both against Uruguay in a 5-1 rout last November.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The Boy Who Knew Too Much tells the true story of a young boy named Christian Haupt, who, from a very young age, displays an uncanny knowledge of baseball and vivid memories of a past life as Lou Gehrig, the famous Yankee.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncanny
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
In the work, traditional folklore and marvelous, uncanny incidents are often the sites of resistance against colonialism or enslavement.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Freeman has had an uncanny knack for goals from his position, scoring six times last year for Orlando and twice already for the USMNT – both against Uruguay in a 5-1 rout last November.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The Boy Who Knew Too Much tells the true story of a young boy named Christian Haupt, who, from a very young age, displays an uncanny knowledge of baseball and vivid memories of a past life as Lou Gehrig, the famous Yankee.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncanny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncanny
Adjective
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The truth is, presence isn’t mysterious at all.—
Daniel Coyle,
Big Think,
3 Feb. 2026
-
In Season 2, eager to take on another big undercover case, Charles Nieuwendyk (Danson) gets his chance when a mysterious blackmailer targets Wheeler College president Jack Berenger (Max Greenfield), who enlists Charles to go undercover as a professor.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Anthony Edwards has been superhuman with his shot making at the ends of games for much of the season.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
23 Jan. 2026
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The near-term threat is not superhuman machines but the decline of thinking, feeling, and social humans.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In a very eerie Hitchcock-like episode, the Frenchman returns to remind Boone of his critical part in the climate crisis.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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When the crashing stopped, an eerie quiet fell over the highway.—
Nichole Manna,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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At the end of the video, Swift shows a clip from their appearance on the Graham Norton Show in which Gleeson jokes about wanting to star in a music video and Swift giving a surprised, but cryptic smile.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
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Bryony hopes that sharing her story will help spread awareness about cryptic pregnancies, or stealth pregnancies.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Barring a miraculous post-All-Star break turnaround, Milwaukee appears unlikely to reach the postseason.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Junior’s miraculous shot saved his own life.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the path winds through cypress groves and leads to the haunting ruins of Sutro Baths.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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The ubiquity of the state’s homelessness has become one of its most distinctive traits—a haunting tableau of its unaffordability and social disorder.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Dera was founded in 1948 by the mystic Mastana Balochistani in the Haryana city of Sirsa, near the northern state’s borders with Punjab, India’s breadbasket, and the desert state of Rajasthan.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Although Nuccio is as down to earth as anyone could be, and definitely not a mystic, there can be no disputing his stature as a remarkable man.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Topeka native led Wichita State to a magical Sweet Sixteen run in 2006; sent Texas A&M to four consecutive NCAA appearances; and most recently guided Maryland to five NCAAs — including a Sweet Sixteen — in 11 years as the Terrapins’ head coach.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
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The panel will turn on adapting the novel’s magical realism, shaping its multi-generational story for an eight‑episode series and the creative collaboration behind bringing this beloved classic to global audiences, the Berlinale Series Market confirmed Wednesday.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncanny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncanny. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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