as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
stray sightings of UFO's, none of which have been rigorously analyzed by scientists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to trespass
to commit an offense
our straying son swears he's returned to the straight and narrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 stray
Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 26 May 2025
Protect Hardware When Painting Painting can result in a real mess when stray streaks and drips land on handles, knobs, and pulls.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
Meanwhile, those who don’t want to stray too far from Santa Cruz can find another fascinating community in the form of San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Adjective
If your nightstand, desk, or kitchen counter is full of stray cables, this is an easy and affordable way to get them under control.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 26 May 2025
Protect Hardware When Painting Painting can result in a real mess when stray streaks and drips land on handles, knobs, and pulls.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
Verb
The driver allowed the motorcyclist to stray from a direct course of travel, and the vehicle left the roadway to the right.
—Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
Meanwhile, those who don’t want to stray too far from Santa Cruz can find another fascinating community in the form of San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
Adjective
-
Avoid long strings of random numbers, special characters or irrelevant details.—
Nick Zviadadze,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Previous studies landed on either side of the one coin: the formation was random, or that the animals deliberately took up positions that protected vulnerable animals from attack.—
Bronwyn Thompson,
New Atlas,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
Getty Images Steele's bill would allow Pennsylvania's Game Commission to legalize hunting on Sundays of its choosing, while outlining new regulations related to hunting, such as trespassing penalties.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
-
Baraka claims Habba improperly ordered his arrest and prosecution for reportedly trespassing at Delaney Hall, a detention center near Newark Liberty International Airport.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Then of course, there’s wandering through some of the region’s rich history.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
-
July is your season to wander off the map and breathe easier.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
State lawmakers can and should repeal the arbitrary two-year rule.—
Sakinah Tillman,
Baltimore Sun,
4 June 2025
-
Officials have often shaken this number off as arbitrary, but agree military spending needs to surge from the 2 percent benchmark of the last decade, and quickly.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
What once looked like a promising season is falling apart for the Kansas City Royals.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2025
-
Americans celebrate Flag Day, which falls on Saturday, June 14, in many ways, including parades, ceremonies and educational events designed to encourage respect for the flag and its significance.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share