Definition of weirdnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word weird distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words eerie and uncanny are common synonyms of weird. While all three words mean "mysteriously strange or fantastic," weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress peculiarity or oddness.

weird creatures from another world

When would eerie be a good substitute for weird?

While in some cases nearly identical to weird, eerie suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work.

an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid

When might uncanny be a better fit than weird?

The meanings of uncanny and weird largely overlap; however, uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness.

an uncanny resemblance between total strangers

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 weird Then we’re allowed to go a bit wilder with it, get weird with it. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 Many of the troublesome innings have been a little weird, too. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 Brent Becker, a former Las Vegas homicide detective, testified that Knight showed up to a police interview with attorneys, which Becker and other law enforcement officers thought was weird because Knight was a victim. CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 The past three seasons have been difficult and just plain weird for The First Academy football team. Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weird
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weird
Adjective
  • After meeting with a young, female director, who offers him the chance to play a bizarre and deeply unsympathetic character in her debut feature, Niaz leaves the audition unconvinced (and pretty offended).
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Barring anything bizarre unfolding in the next few weeks, Smack will almost certainly be the Packers’ Week 1 kicker in Minnesota.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, moviegoers took to social media to share snaps of themselves waiting in line for hours outside their local cineplexes, hoping to score IMAX 70mm tickets for the eerie Frank Herbert adaptation.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And thanks to K-pop stars using the site as a photoshoot, TV series and music video backdrop, this eerie space has a new lease on life.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Little is more magical than opening the mailbox and seeing the handwriting of a loved one.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But in a devastating turn of events, Groff, JJ’s own father, killed him in pursuit of the blue crown, a magical artifact said to grant wishes.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Its unusual features give it a curious, almost surprised expression, helping people connect with a species rarely seen outside its coral home.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Researchers used Jefferson Lab’s Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) to produce the experiment’s unusual probe.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Twenty-four hours after moving to London from New Zealand, Lavanda wanted to go out for a cocktail but felt strange going alone.
    Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • There are a lot of on-the-road songs about travels through this strange, heartbreaking, and beautiful planet.
    Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • Despite lingering radiation, Pripyat draws photographers and history enthusiasts eager to witness one of the most complete—and haunting—portraits of a city abruptly frozen.
    Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026
Adjective
  • The top 50 is the magic number this week because those players are assured to getting into all the $20 million signature events next year.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Few stories are as closely associated with the Middle East as Aladdin's magic lamp.
    Alia Noor, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • No, what’s so funny is that this is the first time that’s ever come up.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The jokers Toth and Jackson, bless them, keep things endearing and funny.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Weird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weird. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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