outlandish

adjective

ˌau̇t-ˈlan-dish How to pronounce outlandish (audio)
Definition of outlandishnext
1
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion an outlandish outfit made entirely out of bottle caps

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in romantic
excitingly or mysteriously unusual the outlandish tribal rituals that astonished early explorers of that land

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word outlandish distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of outlandish are eccentric, erratic, odd, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is it sensible to use eccentric instead of outlandish?

The words eccentric and outlandish can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

In what contexts can erratic take the place of outlandish?

Although the words erratic and outlandish have much in common, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When can odd be used instead of outlandish?

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

an odd sense of humor

When would peculiar be a good substitute for outlandish?

While the synonyms peculiar and outlandish are close in meaning, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When could quaint be used to replace outlandish?

The meanings of quaint and outlandish largely overlap; however, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is singular a more appropriate choice than outlandish?

The words singular and outlandish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

Where would strange be a reasonable alternative to outlandish?

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

a journey filled with strange sights

When might unique be a better fit than outlandish?

The synonyms unique and outlandish are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 outlandish The White House assured a horrified Downing Street that such outlandish claims would not be repeated. —David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025 Since Trump returned to the White House on Jan. 20, his administration has been pitching a torrent of far-reaching policies at outlandish angles and elevations. —Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025 Sinbad serves up comic relief with Oakes' colorful personality and outlandish outfits. —James Mercadante, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025 In Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Quinton Lucas, a Democrat, said that many voters had grown inured to Mr. Trump’s outlandish statements. —Katie Glueck, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outlandish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlandish
  1. bizarre
  2. romantic
  3. strange
  4. exotic
  5. funny
  6. weird
  7. colorful
  8. odd
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
  • Then there’s The Island, a bizarre addition that blends traditional elements of role playing, live service and online multiplayer games together.
    — Joshua Lamb, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • 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
  • Although there are some romantic storylines in the show, Hudson doesn’t see it so much as a return to rom-coms as a family comedy.
    — Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of romantic
Adjective
  • The strange particulars of his passing remain a mystery thus far, but Hackman’s life was lived in quiet defiance of Hollywood fame and the strictures of celebrity.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
  • But these were hound tracks, stretching off through the snow in a strange, dark line.
    — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of strange
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
  • Not the most memorable, but Myers’s flail-laughing at his own insufferable jokes remains a pretty funny encapsulation of Musk’s self-satisfied riffing.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Know your audience—What one person finds funny, another might not.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • Keeping reading for others, including this leather-like tissue box cover, a colorful duo of art glass vases, Jonathan Adler’s many-faced Muse candle, and more.
    — Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2025
  • For the rest of the visual the pair croon back-to-back and lounge side-by-side in the giant spider web in a futuristic landscape filled with piles of glitchy monitors and colorful flashing lights.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of colorful
Adjective
  • Also odd is that in some locations Amazon One is being used for age verification.
    — Roger Dooley, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Following a roughly nine-month lull, there have been 22 reports of the odd spinning behavior involving sawfish in waters around the Florida Keys since December, the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported.
    — Curt Anderson, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of odd

Browse Nearby Words

outlandish
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Outlandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlandish. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on outlandish

Nglish: Translation of outlandish for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
girl-pencil-test
Challenging Standardized Test Words Quiz Vol. 3 You’re on your own for the math section.
See All