OUTLANDISH Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

outlandish

adjective

ˌau̇t-ˈlan-dish

Definition of outlandish

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exotic

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 When Brynjolfsson arrived at Stanford, in 2020, his ideas still seemed outlandish. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026 Most players would be glad to end their careers with 500 appearances — to have almost 1,000 goals is freakish, outlandish, historic. — Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 26 June 2026 Any allegation against the Jewish state, no matter how outlandish, is immediately given credence. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 What began as a fun exercise in recreating outlandish dishes from film and television has since evolved into a multimedia empire with Andrew Rea at the helm. — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for outlandish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlandish

Adjective

When this place is eventually gone — a phrase that feels truly bizarre given the environment this summer and the half-century preceding it — the lasting images will be the seas of red.

— Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Continue reading … 'DEEPLY WEIRD' — CNN panel's bizarre 'read as Jewish' comment about a senator draws fierce blowback.

— , FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

The author, 42, wore a summery floral midi dress with delicate sleeves and a romantic sweetheart neckline.

— Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
The braids appear to be tied off with thin, white rope and have a romantic, lived-in, casual quality—though not too casual to seem irrefutably stylish at a Paris couture show.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 6 July 2026

Definition of romantic

Adjective

As the two form a close bond, Laila discovers there's some weird business going on within the house that threatens both of them.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Confessions kicked off one of the weirdest eras in a career that has never been stingy with weirdness.

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026

Definition of weird

Adjective

After cycling through erratic gigs—bus driver, garbage collector, violin maker—his carpentry skills landed him a job on an expedition vessel in Antarctica from 2006 to 2010.

— Richard Morgan, Time, 29 June 2026
His social media posts became increasingly erratic.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026

Definition of erratic

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outlandish

outlands

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“Outlandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlandish. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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