UNCANNY Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

uncanny

adjective

ˌən-ˈka-nē

Definition of uncanny

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

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

as in eerie

fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic uncanny and unexpected shadows along the mountainsides

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 uncanny The actors, as is always the case in a Mike Leigh film, inhabit their roles with uncanny everyday verve. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 Following his 2019 essay for the New Yorker, Murakami recounts a compelling history of fatherhood, family and obligation, transforming an uncanny childhood memory into a deeply personal history. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 My friend Austin, who has impeccable taste in bad movies and other internet esoterica, reflected on Breen’s uncanny charisma during a recent phone call. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 Elsewhere, increasingly popular quadrupedal robot dogs deployed by the military and police have exhibited uncanny qualities that would make a Black Mirror writer shudder. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncanny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncanny

Adjective

In crucial moments the music fleetingly becomes mysterious, even ominous, with minor-key harmonies and a twisting vocal turn doubled by the bass line of the piano part.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
These three mysterious elements of the cosmos have played a vital role in the evolution of large-scale cosmic structures like galaxies and galaxy clusters.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of mysterious

Adjective

The original debates around superhuman AI date to online forums in the 1990s.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Martha has the rare superhuman instincts required to keep both the class and the mess in harmonious balance, and watching her walk into RHONY is like watching a prima ballerina lead an elementary-school dance class.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of superhuman

Adjective

Fog has an eerie and enchanting way of coloring how humans perceive our surroundings—and scientists are discovering that the atmospheric phenomenon may remake microbes’ experience of their environment, too.

— Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2026
The actress recalled the eerie deaths and accidents that happened during the shoot of the film, including a fire that ravaged a great part of the set and one of the crew members who lost their newborn child.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of eerie

Adjective

Though the Gallaghers weren’t on hand at the film’s press conference earlier on Saturday to field questions, the band has posted several cryptic teasers on Instagram that have sent fans into detective mode.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Sasha Farber posted a cryptic photo following his absence from DWTS’ season 35 lineup.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of cryptic

Adjective

If the Broncos have a miraculous 17-0 season, Payton would pass Marty Schottenheimer (200).

— Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
In an escape bordering on the miraculous, the crash somehow spared motorists on Milam Dairy Road and terrified workers in a bustling industrial warehouse district west of the airport.

— Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of miraculous

Adjective

The comment takes on a haunting resonance three months later, after Panettiere was found unresponsive on a Sunday.

— Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
The result is a haunting portrait of social collapse whose power is premised on the words and faces of survivors.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of haunting

Adjective

Such questions, in fact, may not be the right ones to ask about the man variously described as a teacher, philosopher, maverick mystic, and enlightened person.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026
The piece, inspired by the 12th-century polymathic mystic Saint Hildegard of Bingen, was skin-tinglingly breathy and slow, with long tones (played by Malone and her accompanist Stephen O’Malley) that rose up and swirled around the room.

— Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of mystic

Adjective

Here, Agapi explains why autumn is so magical in the Greek capital, and lets us in on some of her favorite places to visit at this time of year.

— Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
The ordeal forces Sally to admit the existence of their magical powers.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of magical

Browse Nearby Words

uncanniness

uncanny

uncaring

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“Uncanny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncanny. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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