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 White House assured a horrified Downing Street that such outlandish claims would not be repeated. —David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025 Since Trump returned to the White House on Jan. 20, his administration has been pitching a torrent of far-reaching policies at outlandish angles and elevations. —Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025 Sinbad serves up comic relief with Oakes' colorful personality and outlandish outfits. —James Mercadante, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025 In Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Quinton Lucas, a Democrat, said that many voters had grown inured to Mr. Trump’s outlandish statements. —Katie Glueck, New York Times, 22 Feb. 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
  • The bizarre incident occurred early Tuesday when authorities say a man hopped a metal fence of a home in the 900 block of Wakefield Avenue and set fire to a black sedan in the front yard.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Then there’s The Island, a bizarre addition that blends traditional elements of role playing, live service and online multiplayer games together.
    — Joshua Lamb, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • In Sorrentino’s take on the myth and love letter to Naples, Parthenope spends her youthful summers falling in love and searching for meaning through her academics and romantic relationships.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025
  • There are nods to these unique challenges in Running Point, like Isla’s attraction to the Waves’ head coach (Insecure's Jay Ellis), and then a mistakenly romantic dinner meeting with a point guard (Chet Hanks) that turns into a viral misunderstanding.
    — Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of romantic
Adjective
  • But these were hound tracks, stretching off through the snow in a strange, dark line.
    — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
  • 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
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • This quantum processor is built on a novel topological architecture that integrates Majorana particles, exotic quantum states that enhance qubit stability and reduce errors.
    — Dr. Ekta Dang, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Such exotic phases include supersolids, which were first predicted back in the 1960s, but were only first demonstrated in 2017 by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and ETH Zurich in Switzerland.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of exotic
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
Definition of funny
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
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • Boasting almost one million views, the slideshow shows the minuscule pup during his time at the shelter: dressed in brightly-colored sweaters, resting on colorful, warm blankets, and surrounded by toys—many of them bigger than him.
    — Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Gone are the rainbow dreads of yore with Clinton taking the stage in Chicago clad in a colorful robe and a t-shirt bearing an image of the iconic P-Funk mothership following an enthralling opening performance by the Windy City’s own Tamarie T. & Thee Elektra Kumpany.
    — Jim Ryan, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of colorful
Adjective
  • 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
  • Following a roughly nine-month lull, there have been 22 reports of the odd spinning behavior involving sawfish in waters around the Florida Keys since December, the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported.
    — Curt Anderson, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of odd

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Cite this Entry

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

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