Synonyms of uncanny

uncanny

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
• 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
• peculiar
• unearthly
• preternatural
• transcendent
• supernormal
• curious
• unusual
• marvelous
• rare
• uncommon
• weird
• grotesque
• unnatural
• puzzling
• singular
• funny
• outrageous
• baffling
• quirky
• perplexing
• striking
• freakish
• quaint
• idiosyncratic
• outlandish
• shocking
• wacky
• fantastic
• confounding
• prodigious
• kinky
• atypical
• out-of-the-way
• outré
• queer
• screwy
• unconventional
• notable
• mystifying
• unwonted
• bewildering
• aberrant
• noticeable
• far-out
• conspicuous
• way-out
• salient
• wild
• unorthodox
• 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
• creepy
• weird
• spooky
• unearthly
• bizarre
• unusual
• mysterious
• spectral
• terrifying
• spookish
• uncommon
• ghostly
• odd
• curious
• peculiar
• ghoulish
• quirky
• ghastly
• ghostlike
• quaint
• outlandish
• supernatural
• enigmatic
• metaphysical
• outré
• puzzling
• horrible
• preternatural
• terrible
• horrifying
• inscrutable
• 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 uncanny

But bartender and manager Ashley Gilliford said the energy around the dagger has made for some uncanny situations at the bar. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Hundreds of thousands of men and women have reported uncanny or manic experiences with their bots. — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

People appearing in these simulations should also look less uncanny, with more natural movement and responses to the changing environment. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026

The man does seem to have an uncanny ability to pick projects that will have a long shelf life — everything from Up in Smoke and Harold and Maude to Singles, Steel Magnolias, Poison Ivy, and Contact. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

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