QUAINT Synonyms: 194 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'quaint' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of quaint are eccentric , erratic , odd , outlandish , peculiar , singular , strange , and unique . While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. // a quaint fishing village

Q: When is it sensible to use 'eccentric' instead of 'quaint'?

The words eccentric and quaint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. // the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Q: Where would 'erratic' be a reasonable alternative to 'quaint'?

While the synonyms erratic and quaint are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. // a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Q: When might 'odd' be a better fit than 'quaint'?

In some situations, the words odd and quaint are roughly equivalent. However, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. // an odd sense of humor

Q: When could 'outlandish' be used to replace 'quaint'?

The synonyms outlandish and quaint are sometimes interchangeable, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. // outlandish fashions of the time

Q: In what contexts can 'peculiar' take the place of 'quaint'?

Although the words peculiar and quaint have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. // the peculiar status of America's first lady

Q: When would 'singular' be a good substitute for 'quaint'?

The words singular and quaint can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. // a singular feeling of impending disaster

Q: When is 'strange' a more appropriate choice than 'quaint'?

While in some cases nearly identical to quaint , strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable. // a journey filled with strange sights

Q: When can 'unique' be used instead of 'quaint'?

The meanings of unique and quaint largely overlap; however, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. // a career unique in the annals of science

quaint

adjective

ˈkwānt

Definition of quaint

as in bizarre

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion the sudden appearance of a man dressed in quaint clothes immediately drew the notice of passersby

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in antique

pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time a quaint general store on one of the back roads of Vermont

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word quaint distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of quaint are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is it sensible to use eccentric instead of quaint?

The words eccentric and quaint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Where would erratic be a reasonable alternative to quaint?

While the synonyms erratic and quaint are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When might odd be a better fit than quaint?

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

an odd sense of humor

When could outlandish be used to replace quaint?

The synonyms outlandish and quaint are sometimes interchangeable, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

In what contexts can peculiar take the place of quaint?

Although the words peculiar and quaint have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When would singular be a good substitute for quaint?

The words singular and quaint can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When is strange a more appropriate choice than quaint?

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

a journey filled with strange sights

When can unique be used instead of quaint?

The meanings of unique and quaint largely overlap; however, 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 quaint Revisiting that article in the age of Musk the trillionaire feels almost quaint. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026 Back then, wind power still conjured up images of quaint Dutch mills and creaky prairie water pumpers. — IEEE Spectrum, 15 June 2026 The official kickoff temperature was a quaint 83 degrees. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 June 2026 Meanwhile, the comparison to Rose and his baseball gambling scandal seems almost quaint when set against the realities of today. — ABC News, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for quaint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quaint

Adjective

The bizarre Democratic resistance to voter ID requirements also runs counter to common sense.

— Editorial, Boston Herald, 27 July 2026
The Brit landed a solid one-two early and from there Prenga never re-found his feet, allowing Joshua to land a huge right hand that sent Prenga to the canvas and brought an early end to a bizarre see-saw fight.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

For the event, Vitale slipped into a sleeveless minidress in antique yellow.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 July 2026
Keep in mind, too, that thrift stores generally operate on a donation basis, whereas antique stores may operate on consignment, adds Jennifer Johnson, the owner of True Fashionistas, the largest lifestyle resale and consignment store in Florida.

— Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Definition of antique

Adjective

The catfish in that Vermont lake has joined a very strange club.

— John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Of all the peculiar assignments a newspaper reporter can undertake, writing advance obituaries for local notables who are still very much alive is one of the strangest.

— Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

The trio, each of whom has completely opposing personas, of course, set out on a road trip from New York City to Los Angeles in a vintage Cadillac to attend the Drag Queen of America pageant.

— Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026
The French Laundry has assembled a remarkable collection of rare and vintage spirits, including Scotch whisky, bourbon, Cognac, Armagnac and Chartreuse.

— Yuri Shima, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of vintage

Adjective

Gu-cheon is arrogant, conspicuously misplaced in the palace hierarchy, and in some sneaky ways, dryly funny, in stark contrast to co-star Roh Yoon Seo’s more determined, earnest portrayal of court lady Saeng Gang.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
That ethos bled into the script read, which saw the crew assembled take swings with the material and inject a bit more comedy into the already funny original film.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 July 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

Young people fluttered about, wearing custom white T-shirts emblazoned with the festival’s retro cartoon-style poster art.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
With a retro California-surf-town aesthetic and easy-going, dog-friendly vibe, Pacific Point Resort makes for a scenic and satisfying stay, whether for a weekend or a quick pop-in while traveling between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

— Rebecca R. Norris, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of retro

Adjective

Regardless, the Red Sox viewed Early as the odd-man out as Breslow tries to navigate the upcoming trade deadline with the Red Sox having played themselves back into a playoff spot by winning 21 out of their last 25 games.

— Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 26 July 2026
Silbiger’s portfolio is a reflective combination of classic American motifs like Saguaro cacti and herds of bison, and odd roadside attractions like the inflatable Maine lobster.

— Sarah Silbiger, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of odd

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“Quaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quaint. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of quaint

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