STRANGE Synonyms: 169 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of strange are eccentric , erratic , odd , outlandish , peculiar , quaint , singular , and unique . While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable. // a journey filled with strange sights

Q: When might 'eccentric' be a better fit than 'strange'?

The meanings of eccentric and strange largely overlap; however, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. // the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Q: When could 'erratic' be used to replace 'strange'?

The words erratic and strange can be used in similar contexts, but erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. // a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Q: In what contexts can 'odd' take the place of 'strange'?

Although the words odd and strange have much in common, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. // an odd sense of humor

Q: When is it sensible to use 'outlandish' instead of 'strange'?

While in some cases nearly identical to strange , outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. // outlandish fashions of the time

Q: When would 'peculiar' be a good substitute for 'strange'?

The synonyms peculiar and strange are sometimes interchangeable, but peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. // the peculiar status of America's first lady

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

In some situations, the words quaint and strange are roughly equivalent. However, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. // a quaint fishing village

Q: Where would 'singular' be a reasonable alternative to 'strange'?

While the synonyms singular and strange are close in meaning, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. // a singular feeling of impending disaster

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

The words unique and strange are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. // a career unique in the annals of science

strange

adjective

ˈstrānj

Definition of strange

as in bizarre

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion the strange smell we'd noticed turned out, unhappily, to be from the dinner our host was making

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exotic

excitingly or mysteriously unusual strange fruits from faraway lands

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unfamiliar

not known or experienced before using public transportation was all very strange to a rural girl like her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unusual

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced a rather strange story about a garden filled with poisonous plants

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word strange distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of strange are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When might eccentric be a better fit than strange?

The meanings of eccentric and strange largely overlap; however, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When could erratic be used to replace strange?

The words erratic and strange can be used in similar contexts, but erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

In what contexts can odd take the place of strange?

Although the words odd and strange have much in common, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of strange?

While in some cases nearly identical to strange, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When would peculiar be a good substitute for strange?

The synonyms peculiar and strange are sometimes interchangeable, but peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When is quaint a more appropriate choice than strange?

In some situations, the words quaint and strange are roughly equivalent. However, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to strange?

While the synonyms singular and strange are close in meaning, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When can unique be used instead of strange?

The words unique and strange are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 strange From the perspective of young people who often feel awkward and out of place, common dynamics can look strange, while unexpected connections seem like the most natural thing in the world. — Elena Lazic, Variety, 25 July 2026 By what strange twist of fate does a young man come to develop a passion for politics? — Olivier Bouchara, Vanity Fair, 24 July 2026 Musty odors, excessive dust and strange hissing noise can mean problems with the ducts, but other problems can go unnoticed. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 24 July 2026 BitTorrent is a strange world in which to find respectable megacorporations. — Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for strange

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strange

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

Head to the Southeast Reptile Expo to see a wide variety of reptiles, amphibians and other exotic pets, buy supplies for them and learn about caring for them responsibly.

— Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
Uncertainty notwithstanding, the longevity world has glommed onto the notion that the vaginal microbiome is some kind of exotic tealeaf that can be deciphered—and perfected by purchasing the right supplements.

— Sarah DiGregorio, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026

Definition of exotic

Adjective

Rather than introducing entirely unfamiliar concepts, companies can modernize products and experiences consumers already trust.

— Louis Biscotti, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Espaillat, who grew up in the Dominican Republic, set out to introduce Charlotte diners to Latin Street food such as empanadas, arepas and pupusas — dishes that were largely unfamiliar here more than a decade ago.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 2026

Definition of unfamiliar

Adjective

Tracking the sky to such depths, such resolution and for such a long time practically guarantees that a bevy of weird and baffling phenomena will emerge from the LSST data.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
Some of it was weird, some of it was creepy and some was awe-inspiring.

— Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 24 July 2026

Definition of weird

Adjective

The Aquamarine alum and John, 36, married in a romantic ceremony in Sun Valley, Idaho, two years after announcing their engagement in July 2024.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
According to another arrest complaint, a third woman who had a long-term romantic relationship with Tristan Tate accused him of raping her at his apartment in Luton, England, on multiple occasions between April 2012 and December 2013.

— Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026

Definition of romantic

Adjective

Anthropic says Opus 5 scored three times higher than the next-best model on ARC-AGI 3, which tests how well models solve novel problems.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
The series offers viewers insight into a setting — interwar Asia — and themes that should be novel to all but the most ardent historians.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 23 July 2026

Definition of novel

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“Strange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strange. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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