1
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
a number of uncanny parallels in the lives of the twins who had been separated at birth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in superhuman
being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature
an uncanny gift for knowing when someone, no matter how distant, needed help
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in eerie
fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic
uncanny and unexpected shadows along the mountainsides
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uncanny
But this is who the Chiefs have been offensively for more than a game or two — frustration before entertainment — masked by a top-10 defense and an uncanny knack for their best in the end-of-game moments.
—
Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
Of course, the resemblance was uncanny, from their matching smiles to their auburn-red hair, which Julia wore down in loose waves and Emma styled in a messy ponytail.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
The job requires an uncanny ability to sell each bit of incremental progress as a success in and of itself.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
But still uncanny valley territory.
—Kjartan Rist, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncanny
Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
Of course, the resemblance was uncanny, from their matching smiles to their auburn-red hair, which Julia wore down in loose waves and Emma styled in a messy ponytail.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
The job requires an uncanny ability to sell each bit of incremental progress as a success in and of itself.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
But still uncanny valley territory.
—Kjartan Rist, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncanny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncanny
Adjective
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It’s often said that, in New Orleans’ French Quarter, the dead outnumber the living, that residual energy from the past continues to inhabit the neighborhood’s 300-year-old buildings and mysterious courtyards.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
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When one of his old enemies resurfaces and his daughter is abducted, the movie turns into a game of cat and mouse with car chases aplenty as well as the involvement of militias and mysterious organizations.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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His powers included manipulating fire, engulfing his body in flames, superhuman strength and flying.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Star Trek: Khan expands the universe, by tracing the untold events on Ceti Alpha V, chronicling Khan’s descent from a superhuman visionary into the vengeful villain seen in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Written and directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy, this modern noir with a feminine twist features atmospheric camerawork and framing, as well as an enrapturing score by Jordan Dykstra and Brian McOmber, blending eerie strings with maritime folk.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The trailer shows the player character to be a simple Ditto, the amorphous blob Pokémon capable of copying others’ appearance, taking on the eerie form of a human girl before making its way into the world.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But Fellowes remains cryptic when asked about possible spinoff series or films.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Maine native has a history of using her outfits to send cryptic messages.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bradley McCroskey caught a miraculous 26-yard touchdown pass on the final play of regulation, then Temi Ericson raced nearly untouched for a 25-yard TD in overtime to give the Indians a 34-28 victory.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
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Every bite elicits wonder, provoking a quiet moment of gratitude for this lush, miraculous habitat.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Redford's career spanned decades, but his portrayal of Death as a quiet guide remains one of his most haunting and human performances.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Flash forward to Kubrick’s haunting final act when astronaut Dave Bowman is ensconced, spacesuit in tow, in a bizarre, futuristic rococo hotel suite.—
Bruce Dorminey,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Yet Blanc’s real faith lies in the nearly mystic quality involved in seeing what the human animal is capable of.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
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In fact, the concept means to be a resistance against what the early-twentieth-century Catholic mystic philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin called the noosphere, which for him converges throughout human history.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The plaque used the words magical, alluring, galvanizing and adventurous, and their initials spelled MAGA.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Or, for something simpler and just as magical, step outside after dark and watch the Milky Way stretch and swirl above you.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncanny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncanny. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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