STRANGE Synonyms: 169 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'strange' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of strange are eccentric , erratic , odd , outlandish , peculiar , quaint , singular , and unique . While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable. // a journey filled with strange sights

Q: When might 'eccentric' be a better fit than 'strange'?

The meanings of eccentric and strange largely overlap; however, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. // the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Q: When could 'erratic' be used to replace 'strange'?

The words erratic and strange can be used in similar contexts, but erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. // a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Q: In what contexts can 'odd' take the place of 'strange'?

Although the words odd and strange have much in common, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. // an odd sense of humor

Q: When is it sensible to use 'outlandish' instead of 'strange'?

While in some cases nearly identical to strange , outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. // outlandish fashions of the time

Q: When would 'peculiar' be a good substitute for 'strange'?

The synonyms peculiar and strange are sometimes interchangeable, but peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. // the peculiar status of America's first lady

Q: When is 'quaint' a more appropriate choice than 'strange'?

In some situations, the words quaint and strange are roughly equivalent. However, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. // a quaint fishing village

Q: Where would 'singular' be a reasonable alternative to 'strange'?

While the synonyms singular and strange are close in meaning, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. // a singular feeling of impending disaster

Q: When can 'unique' be used instead of 'strange'?

The words unique and strange are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. // a career unique in the annals of science

strange

adjective

ˈstrānj

Definition of strange

as in bizarre

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion the strange smell we'd noticed turned out, unhappily, to be from the dinner our host was making

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exotic

excitingly or mysteriously unusual strange fruits from faraway lands

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unfamiliar

not known or experienced before using public transportation was all very strange to a rural girl like her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unusual

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced a rather strange story about a garden filled with poisonous plants

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word strange distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of strange are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When might eccentric be a better fit than strange?

The meanings of eccentric and strange largely overlap; however, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When could erratic be used to replace strange?

The words erratic and strange can be used in similar contexts, but erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

In what contexts can odd take the place of strange?

Although the words odd and strange have much in common, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of strange?

While in some cases nearly identical to strange, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When would peculiar be a good substitute for strange?

The synonyms peculiar and strange are sometimes interchangeable, but peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When is quaint a more appropriate choice than strange?

In some situations, the words quaint and strange are roughly equivalent. However, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to strange?

While the synonyms singular and strange are close in meaning, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When can unique be used instead of strange?

The words unique and strange are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

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 strange Iger is a longtime basketball aficionado — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reportedly introduced him to Bay, a former NBA journalist, 30 years ago — but his particular background makes his Lakers ownership a bit strange. — Greg Beacham, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 A lot of effort went into researching different mystical, strange calligraphy and all kinds of diagram stuff that are in that. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026 Angels doesn’t feel architectural in nearly the same way, but the strange impulses and movements of the book are really appealing. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026 Sadly, that’s the strange fate so much of Bakshi’s filmography has met over the years. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strange

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strange

Adjective

But Ecuadorian authorities have remained mostly silent about the bizarre incidents.

— Michael Rios, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Bobby’s color palette is bizarre, and her idea of a sash that transforms into a shawl scarf is really cool but executed poorly.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

Other researchers used the theory to derive Navier-Stokes analogues for exotic states of matter, like fracton matter.

— Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
The exotic animals live on a private ranch owned by the Seeno family, longtime developers and home builders.

— Joan Morris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of exotic

Adjective

You are now being paid a positive premium to extend, which is the historically normal state of the world and has been unfamiliar for so long that many investors have stopped expecting it.

— Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Henry added the Patriots have done little to no scouting ahead of their practice with an unfamiliar opponent.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of unfamiliar

Adjective

At the recommendation of assistant director of player personnel Jason Stein, the Mets signed Yan to a two-year minor-league deal, an unusual contract for a healthy pitcher.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Her parents approach sexuality head on, almost with glee, which is certainly unusual for their time and place.

— Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

The animation is truly ugly, the characters moving at the framerate of a PowerPoint and looking less like the animals they’re supposed to be than weird hybrid troll creatures.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
And when the Stray Cats and the Blasters brought their rockabilly revivals to the mainstream in the Eighties, the Cramps were just too weird and nasty for primetime.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of weird

Adjective

Lucas was convicted of fatally shooting a 16-year-old girl who rejected his romantic advances and wounding two of her friends.

— CBS News, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
This gorgeous night dress will keep you cool in the summer, and features a romantic lace trim, round neckline, and luminous shell buttons.

— Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of romantic

Adjective

This is uncommon compared to other mental health issues new moms face — postpartum depression, for example, is estimated to affect about 10% of mothers.

— Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
There is too much going on here for this novel to work, but Andersen is an uncommon writer, a skilled historical novelist as well as an astute cultural observer and historical interpreter.

— John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Browse Nearby Words

strands

strange

strangely

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Strange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strange. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of strange

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on strange

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

prowess

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes