weird

adjective

ˈwird How to pronounce weird (audio)
Definition of weirdnext
1
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion always has a somewhat weird opinion of what's happening in the news

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in eerie
fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic weird sounds from the woods just beyond our campsite

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3
as in magical
having seemingly supernatural qualities or powers a self-styled, contemporary witch, she sells herbal mixtures that she claims are weird potions

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4
as in unusual
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced a weird little plant that we found growing in the garden

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 In a weird way, those injuries prepared me for uncomfortable feelings and tough times. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 Babies is the exploration of the funny, weird, and life-changing things that happened to me along the way to the answer. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 Traveling across the International Date Line (IDL) can get weird—seriously weird. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 Researchers directed it to simply slurp up the weird golden thing and bring it aboard. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weird
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weird
  1. bizarre
  2. eerie
  3. magical
  4. unusual
  5. strange
  6. haunting
  7. magic
  8. funny
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
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • In a campaign known as Operation Wandering Soul, US forces played recordings of eerie sounds and voices where combatants were fighting in the jungle.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • At maximum eclipse, much of the moon may take on an eerie reddish hue as sunlight filtered through Earth's atmosphere is refracted into the shadow and onto the lunar surface.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of eerie
Adjective
  • Words like miraculous, inspirational, incredible, amazing and magical were just some of the adjectives heard at Friday’s event.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Caleb the Conjurer created several magical wins for the Bears, but that late game fortune also rarely carries over into the next season.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of magical
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
Definition of unusual
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
Definition of strange
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
  • The result feels a bit like a magic trick, even in this era of supercar projector beams.
    — Marco Della Cava, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Glenview Trust, Bloomberg No magic debt-to-GDP ratio signals disaster, since countries with more resilient economies can service more debt.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of magic
Adjective
  • The end result is Murder Bites, my funny, quirky mystery that takes place in a small town where everyone is obsessed with their tiny designer dogs.
    — Mimi Montgomery, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • What is sort of funny is imagining how immersion in the city’s cultural scene fits into Vanderbilt’s broader ambitions.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of funny

Phrases Containing weird

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weir
weird
weirded out
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Cite this Entry

“Weird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weird. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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