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

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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 The event’s lead designer, the late avant-garde architect Kenzo Tange, was known for conceptual floating cities and grand, outlandish megastructures. —Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025 Vivacious, outlandish Cee Cee and beautiful, privileged Bertie meet as children and become fast friends. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025 The case has drawn wide attention, in part because prosecutors have accused Vallow Daybell of invoking outlandish religious beliefs about zombies and the end of the world to justify the crimes she's been convicted of: the murders of two of her children and her husband's former wife in Idaho. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025 All production has to do was roll back the tapes to see that Kenya’s responses are, more often than not, outlandish and disrespectful. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Apr. 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
  • Even more bizarre was the depth the starlight's dip changed with every transit.
    — Victoria Corless, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The gay man who was involved in Rep. Nancy Mace’s viral meltdown at an Ulta Beauty store is speaking out about the bizarre incident.
    — Abby Monteil, Them., 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • There’s something inexorably romantic and swashbucklingly adventurous about commercial space travel—about normal people, non-astronauts like you and me, well, being astronauts.
    — Raven Smith, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Winter Spring Summer or Fall — a romantic drama starring Jenna Ortega and her former Wednesday co-star Percy Hynes White — is coming soon to digital streaming and theaters.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of romantic
Adjective
  • If some readers were befuddled by Mr. Holland’s strange and magical imagery, graphic artists were entranced.
    — Penelope Green, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • These stores typically feature eclectic collections of oddities, collectibles, curiosities, and decorative items that appeal to collectors and enthusiasts of the strange and unique.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Great Barrier Reef has over 100 islands, from unique and exotic islands to the Whitsundays and the remarkable Northern Islands.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Originals of the 1960s had their own exotic sources.
    — Peter Bart, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of exotic
Adjective
  • What’s funny about that is that Alexander appears to have some Leonard Williams to his game.
    — Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • What started out curious is going to curiouser — funny, violent and wild.
    — Tom Gliatto, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • So those [neoclassical] artists are to me, in a very weird sense, the very earliest photographers—except their medium was oil on canvas.
    — Mark Holgate, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The first sign of Mom Fatigue is leaving weird stuff in the fridge.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • The Scuderia Ferrari driver’s bold, colorful, and whimsical looks have garnered much attention in the style world and earned him the title of ‘champion of style’ as well.
    — Daisy Shaw-Ellis, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025
  • That colorful language is shared by Chris Goulet, managing partner of Birdsong Brewing.
    — Timothy DePeugh, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of colorful
Adjective
  • Held in the odd year after the presidential election since 1869, Virginia’s gubernatorial race is a cyclical scorecard for voters’ moods and the issues at the forefront of the national consciousness.
    — Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Marred by odd promo segments and a general lack of chemistry, Stratton vs. Flair underwhelmed and underdelivered.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of odd

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outlanders
outlandish
outlands
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Cite this Entry

“Outlandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlandish. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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