strange

adjective

ˈstrānj How to pronounce strange (audio)
Definition of strangenext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exotic
excitingly or mysteriously unusual strange fruits from faraway lands

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unfamiliar
not known or experienced before using public transportation was all very strange to a rural girl like her

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4
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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strange land
surreal land
foreign land
unknown land
strange feelings
peculiar feelings
bizarre feelings
odd feelings
unusual feelings
weird feelings
strange behavior
bizarre behavior
suspicious behavior
odd behavior
unusual behavior
unexpected behavior
strange noises
unusual noises
scary noises
curious noises
peculiar noises
disturbing noises

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 The plot turns strange when the hotshot therapist unexpectedly fails to show up, leaving the couples to confront their issues without his professional guidance. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 26 Feb. 2025 Everyone, on every side of the case, agreed that a strange rule governing employment discrimination suits in some parts of the country needs to go. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 26 Feb. 2025 The strange juxtapositions continued in the nominations, which featured a grab-bag of bold-faced names making their first and only Oscar appearance: Shel Silverstein! —Zach Schonfeld, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025 This character is really strange, so how is his music? —Selome Hailu, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strange
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strange
  1. bizarre
  2. exotic
  3. unfamiliar
  4. unusual
  5. weird
  6. romantic
  7. novel
  8. uncommon
Adjective
  • The bizarre case of Luigi Mangione should also be considered a needless stain on Baltimore.
    — Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 6 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Definition of bizarre
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
  • This breakthrough allows machines to handle unfamiliar items by generalizing from previous experiences, closing the gap between specialized and general-purpose robots.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Christopher Bailey and Riccardo Tisci’s Burberry struck many as unfamiliar.
    — Julian Randall, Essence, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of unfamiliar
Adjective
  • Bringing such a case is highly unusual and winning a conviction would be difficult, according to current and former prosecutors.
    — Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Local meteorologists noted that these events were highly unusual for the region, with historical data showing only sporadic snowfall over the past several decades.
    — Jim Foerster, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of weird
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
  • For a particularly unique experience, the One Dalton Signature Facial makes use of innovative Icelandic biotechnology to cleanse and strengthen each participant’s skin, while the Dalton Duo couples’ massage is ideal for any visitors on a romantic getaway.
    — Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of romantic
Adjective
  • Those who master architectural optimizations, novel training techniques and adaptive AI strategies will define the next generation of artificial intelligence.
    — Vandana Rana, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The View’s moderator showed off her trophy on the ABC daytime talk show after winning the Best Narration category for narrating her novel Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of novel
Adjective
  • Though reports of explosions at Iranian military sites are uncommon, past incidents have occurred.
    — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Conflicting casualty figures are not uncommon in the immediate aftermath of attacks in Syria's 13-year conflict that has killed half a million people.
    — Compiled by Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of uncommon

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Cite this Entry

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

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