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 Nolan experiments with his usual visual palette, too, and isn’t afraid to really get weird in terms of the look and feel of scenes. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 July 2026 The Gophers have won at least eight games in four of the last five seasons, and Fleck has reached a bowl every year since 2018, save for the weird 2020 season. Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 15 July 2026 Still, just like with all the weird, unpractical multitools that emerge every week, there's something cool about one piece of gear that can flip, zip and convert to perform multiple tasks. New Atlas, 14 July 2026 Your novel will still be there tomorrow or whenever the air stops having that weird smell. Jiji Lee, New Yorker, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for weird
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weird
Adjective
  • But at the end of this bizarre game in Miami, this silly 6-4 thriller, this giddy attacking exhibition of some of the world’s best players, and some of the world’s worst defending, England were on the winning side.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Southwest’s bizarre seat assignments and enforcement policies may have had operational roots, but customers assumed the worst.
    Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Adjective
  • If Walt Disney World is the happiest place on Earth, then Burj Al Babas in northwestern Türkiye might be the eeriest.
    Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026
  • The Little Mermaid was widely criticized for the eerie appearance of the creatures which inhabit its undersea world.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Adjective
  • There are no Zeus or Poseidon or Ino or Heracles sightings, and the herald Hermes, who has a pretty big role in Homer’s tale — freeing Odysseus from Calypso and giving him a magical herb to shield him from Circe’s spells — is nowhere to be found.
    Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Geneva Lewis plays the work’s magical violin part, conducted by Nicolas Ellis; the event also includes music by Wagner, Vaughan Williams and others.
    Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • But a small part is how the Rays have managed his unusual situation, handling him with some care.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
  • Categories for entrants in the pet parade included cutest pet, an owner and pet dress-alike, the biggest and smallest pet, most unusual pet and best trick.
    David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Adjective
  • While Deliverance follows more or less in the footsteps of Blackwater Park, Damnation digs into a strange new realm for the band, uncovering something even darker.
    Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026
  • Downstate, the threat of black vultures still feels new and strange.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Adjective
  • This is a moody, weird, haunting, often beautiful film, punctuated by sudden violence and horror.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Neill was characteristically humble about his role in this haunting masterpiece.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Adjective
  • Cameron relented, taking out his scissors and cutting a few superfluous scenes, but the film still wasn't quite at the magic mark.
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 19 July 2026
  • There’s an impressive magic effect that occurs when one or two men are able to quickly turn themselves into a pit band, or off-Broadway chorale.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 18 July 2026
Adjective
  • The 26-year-old Houston native was an instant draw for audiences, who connected with her funny, outspoken—yet still plenty vulnerable—personality.
    Rachel Brodsky, Time, 14 July 2026
  • More than just funny mistakes Spoonerisms are only one kind of speech error.
    Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Weird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weird. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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