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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 uncanny
These over-the-top moments and the absurdity of its title may be the elements that made Zombi 2 famous, but beneath them is a movie with an eerie, uncanny vibe that's shockingly easy to get lost in.
—
James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025
So far, the game shares an uncanny synergy with Vampire Survivors.
—Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
This is the first time fans get to hear the native Brooklynite’s uncanny ability to replicate the 20-time Grammy-winner’s voice.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
Wilson demonstrated an uncanny gift for harmonic invention and complex vocal and instrumental arrangements.
—Roy Trakin, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncanny
James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025
So far, the game shares an uncanny synergy with Vampire Survivors.
—Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
This is the first time fans get to hear the native Brooklynite’s uncanny ability to replicate the 20-time Grammy-winner’s voice.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
Wilson demonstrated an uncanny gift for harmonic invention and complex vocal and instrumental arrangements.
—Roy Trakin, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncanny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncanny
Adjective
-
Before long, his life is plagued by a series of mysterious, sinister incidents that threaten to upend his success and bring about a most violent demise.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 July 2025
-
In The Old Guard 2, following on from the climax of the first film, Andy must come to terms with her newfound mortality while preparing to face a mysterious foe (played by Uma Thurman).—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
AIs can consider more factors in their decisions than humans can, and this can endow them with superhuman performance on specialized tasks.—
Bruce Schneier,
The Conversation,
16 June 2025
-
With his sword, superhuman strength, and loyal friends, He-Man defends Eternia and the secrets of Castle Grayskull from the forces of the evil sorcerer Skeletor.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Eisenberg completed an eerie song praising West Elm as an oracular realm, then asked Scardino to write a short monologue to set it up.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
-
To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. CNN — Some of the most intriguing science fiction springs from eerie, real-life phenomena.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
The cryptic introduction is a subtle nod to the bartenders that the patron is about to order one of four drinks from the Burning Blade secret menu.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 June 2025
-
Alongside firsthand accounts from cops, journalists, and survivors, the series unpacks how fear spread through the streets, fueled by cryptic letters, a frenzied press, and a killer who seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at once.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
There's also a nod to the narrator's wife making an unexpected comeback late on, though Robbie's miraculous/implausible (delete as appropriate) return from the dead stretches credibility way past breaking point.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
29 June 2025
-
Considering her herculean effort and miraculous success, the speediness of her undoing is stunning.—
Literary Hub
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Despite his persistent claims of innocence, Chester Weger lived six decades in prison after confessing to the haunting 1960 Starved Rock State Park murders of three suburban Chicago women who were attacked during a hike in broad daylight.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
-
But what began as an ordinary evening would soon become one of the region's most haunting cold cases.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
Something of a mystic, just like af Klint, Martin found meaning and structure in artistic practice and spiritual rigor.—
Melissa Febos,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
-
This book contains the first English translation of the writings of af Klint, a Swedish painter and mystic.—
Melissa Febos,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Anyone who listens to the Randolphs, who live on the property of the Clyde Butcher Big Cypress Gallery, will get an earful on how beautiful, magical and serene the Big Cypress National Preserve is.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
-
Many climate researchers consider this magical thinking.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncanny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncanny. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share