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Synonym Chooser

How is the word bizarre different from other adjectives like it?

The words fantastic and grotesque are common synonyms of bizarre. While all three words mean "conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality," bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination.

a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

When can fantastic be used instead of bizarre?

While the synonyms fantastic and bizarre are close in meaning, fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention.

dreamed up fantastic rumors

When might grotesque be a better fit than bizarre?

Although the words grotesque and bizarre have much in common, grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones.

grotesque statues on the cathedral
though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

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 bizarre There’s no denying that one of the more bizarre moments of last night’s Academy Awards was the James Bond musical tribute — not only because viewers were anticipating an announcement tied to the franchise, freshly acquired by Amazon, but because of the guests tapped to perform. Thania Garcia, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025 Podcasting may not be the answer, but popping up outside the conventional Hollywood circuit to indulge in something fun, bizarre, and oddly personal made for the best surprises this awards season. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025 Musk’s promotion of Kremlin-friendly candidates in Germany and Romania and his attacks on Ukraine are bizarre but not random. Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025 The expo’s Instagram page documents visits to other cities and showcases many of the bizarre and dark art pieces and items people can buy, as well as some attendees’ costumes. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bizarre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bizarre
Adjective
  • And next year, and for years to come, through trauma and joy, this seemingly absurd ritual is going to be here.
    Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
  • With his absurd hair and larger-than-life persona, Trump is a walking meme.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The strange particulars of his passing remain a mystery thus far, but Hackman’s life was lived in quiet defiance of Hollywood fame and the strictures of celebrity.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
  • People say Yoko’s art is strange and her music is not very good.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Your voice is insane.
    Mary Colurso | mcolurso@al.com, al, 4 Apr. 2023
  • But obviously winning the grand jury prize was insane.
    Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2023
Adjective
  • Both of those fit a mold for an Original Screenplay winner: A Real Pain as the talky Sundance movie; The Substance as the contender that’s a little too weird to win the bigger prizes.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Here Are All The Companies Cutting DEI Programs For over 41 Vineyard Theatre has been making the weird art.
    Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Peter, though revered as an apostle worthy of veneration, is also portrayed in the Gospels as prone to mistakes, often foolish, and sometimes outright contradictory to God’s will.
    Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The notion that women should be flawless multitaskers, managing a perfect home and career while never showing vulnerability or weakness is not only unrealistic, but also foolish.
    Nicole Lipkin, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Also odd is that in some locations Amazon One is being used for age verification.
    Roger Dooley, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Unfortunately, my balcony has been an underutilized area due to the odd shape and small size, but that hasn’t deterred me from wanting to find a seating arrangement that works well for my needs and space.
    Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s got an immersive screen that makes games look unreal, and the OLED panel blows everything else out of the water with its colors and contrast.
    Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 17 Feb. 2025
  • The circumstances surrounding many aspects of the trip seemed both surreal and unreal, and at times I was left wondering if Lumon had activated a yet-unknown-to-us part of the severance chip (à la The Matrix) to send the refiners on this journey in their minds.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Not the most memorable, but Myers’s flail-laughing at his own insufferable jokes remains a pretty funny encapsulation of Musk’s self-satisfied riffing.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Know your audience—What one person finds funny, another might not.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bizarre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bizarre. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bizarre

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