outlandish

adjective

ˌau̇t-ˈlan-dish How to pronounce outlandish (audio)
Definition of outlandishnext
1
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion an outlandish outfit made entirely out of bottle caps

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in romantic
excitingly or mysteriously unusual the outlandish tribal rituals that astonished early explorers of that land

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word outlandish distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of outlandish are eccentric, erratic, odd, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is it sensible to use eccentric instead of outlandish?

The words eccentric and outlandish can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

In what contexts can erratic take the place of outlandish?

Although the words erratic and outlandish have much in common, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When can odd be used instead of outlandish?

In some situations, the words odd and outlandish are roughly equivalent. However, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When would peculiar be a good substitute for outlandish?

While the synonyms peculiar and outlandish are close in meaning, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When could quaint be used to replace outlandish?

The meanings of quaint and outlandish largely overlap; however, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is singular a more appropriate choice than outlandish?

The words singular and outlandish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

Where would strange be a reasonable alternative to outlandish?

While in some cases nearly identical to outlandish, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When might unique be a better fit than outlandish?

The synonyms unique and outlandish are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 outlandish Longtime host Monty Hall did his best to trick contestants in the audience — who wore outlandish costumes to get his attention — into taking a deal that was worse than the prize already in their hands. —Lindsay Soll, EW.com, 25 July 2025 At the time, Reagan's was criticized for sounding outlandish, but according to Guetlein, the capabilities needed for such a system are already here. —Brett Tingley, Space.com, 23 July 2025 As His Music Ozzy Osbourne’s outlandish and often chaotic behavior earned him a reputation in the eyes of pop culture early on in his career. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 His ambitions for his next act may be more outlandish. —Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for outlandish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlandish
  1. bizarre
  2. romantic
  3. strange
  4. exotic
  5. funny
  6. weird
  7. colorful
  8. odd
Adjective
  • Sony and Microsoft and the PC world can keep playing the cutting-edge hardware competition while Nintendo luxuriates in its bizarre boutique silo, unbothered, moisturized, in its lane, consistently content with winning its own solo race.
    — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • The pair then embark on a harrowing adventure, with Luke slowly turning into the most bizarre father figure ever.
    — Elliott Smith, EW.com, 26 July 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • However, his range has extended into dramas like Witness, thrillers like The Fugitive, and even comedies and romantic films like Working Girl and The Age of Adeline.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Control issues masquerade behind romantic promises as Venus and Pluto clash.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of romantic
Adjective
  • The ever-shifting phases of Earth's moon present a wealth of targets for amateur astronomers to explore, ranging from magnificent craters and lunar seas to strange visual phenomena created as sunlight plays across the ancient surface, forming familiar shapes where none should be.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • So, the strange powder got a chemical foot in the door.
    — David Szondy August 02, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • The Lotus feels more like an event, thanks to more interior noise, having to climb down into it, and its more exotic looks and driving position.
    — Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • In many others, including Oklahoma, strict rehabilitation or exotic pet permits are required.
    — Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Definition of exotic
Adjective
  • When something bad happens, five seconds later, something funny in life happens.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 31 July 2025
  • Chuck Lorre is back with yet another laugh-out-loud funny show to add to his TV universe.
    — Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 31 July 2025
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • The Earrings of Madame de… is a weird morality tale—heavy on dramatic irony, and EXCELLENT dresses.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Because this is college football, there are lots of weird details.
    — Jason Kirk, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • All of the chunks were from the west side which was covered by colorful graffiti, and thus more likely to sell.
    — Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • In a video shared to his Instagram on Thursday, the Oscar winner can be seen in a colorful button-down shirt, arms crossed, with the face wrap covering his chin, neck, and ears.
    — Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of colorful
Adjective
  • The ever-changing face of modern gin has birthed many styles to pique the palate of the gin aficionado—or anyone partial to the odd G&T.
    — Camille Berry, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • Depicted as short and animalistic in the comics, the tall, hunky Jackman seemed like an odd fit, but his interpretation of the retractable-clawed superhero is now definitive in mainstream popular culture.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of odd

Browse Nearby Words

outlanders
outlandish
outlands
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Outlandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlandish. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on outlandish

Nglish: Translation of outlandish for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
iykyk if you know you know slang written in a neon
Quiz: Abbreviation Station TFW you have to figure out what 15 abbreviations ...
See All