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 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 Following a tie for second at last year’s Hoag, Cink sealed the deal with a steady driver and precise, but not outlandish, shot-making that produced six birdies. —Jay Paris, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026 But the price — $28 per poster — isn’t outlandish. —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026 Abe Lemons won an NIT and always filled reporters’ notebooks with colorful and outlandish quotes in between puffs on his ever-present cigar. —Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026 Since then, dozens of accounts have made videos with outlandish plots featuring various fruits — apples, mangoes, oranges and more. —Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outlandish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlandish
  1. bizarre
  2. exotic
  3. strange
  4. romantic
  5. funny
  6. weird
  7. odd
  8. erratic
Adjective
  • The troubled production resulted in a bizarre cyberpunk schlock-flick that felt far removed from what most fans understood Mario to be.
    — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Since the border is not straight but snakes along old county lines, some of the journey was bizarre.
    — Colm Tóibín, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • The map, as a window into an exotic otherworld and a symbol of Habsburg might, had become an independent reality, even though Tenochtitlan itself had been reduced to rubble — or rather precisely because of it.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 1 Apr. 2026
  • These recipes reflected the growing influence of the spice trade, which brought exotic ingredients into European kitchens.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of exotic
Adjective
  • Some 18 months ago, Mack said, the Royals launched a deep dive after Picollo broached the possibility of exploring strange new worlds.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
  • But rather than avoiding strange quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement, Bennett and Brassard embraced them.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Universal’s romantic drama, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name, has grossed $45 million in North America and $79 million globally against a $25 million budget.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 Apr. 2026
  • In honor of their fourth wedding anniversary, the couple—who had a secret wedding ceremony in April 2022—enjoyed a romantic dinner date at Bourbon Steak New York in New York City.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of romantic
Adjective
  • There’s a funny reason why the pain flares in your upper face and forehead, a bit of a distance from the area responsible for the cold.
    — Julia Daye, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2026
  • As funny as her life seems, like everyone's, serious moments pepper the comedy.
    — David Oliver, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • Everyone got obsessed with weird things in the pandemic, like jigsaw puzzles or baking sourdough.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Running a restaurant can do some weird things to your head.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • Humor about the pickle often stems from its distinctiveness—its tangy, assertive flavor and odd appearance lend themselves to exaggerated, whimsical depictions.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Indeed, the evening was so odd that even the famously reclusive poet Robinson Jeffers, who rarely attended parties, left home to experience the spectacle for himself.
    — Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of odd
Adjective
  • While Boston shot 5-for-20 in the period, Atlanta went 13-for-19, including the second made three of the night from the typically erratic Dyson Daniels.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Two weeks later, the erratic nature of the Wild’s play and the outcomes haven’t changed.
    — Michael Russo, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of erratic

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outlandish
outlands
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Cite this Entry

“Outlandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlandish. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on outlandish

Nglish: Translation of outlandish for Spanish Speakers

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