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 show’s first season, run by Theresa Rebeck, was chaotic in strange and enthralling ways. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025 Both enormously successful and somehow — at least in my mind — underrated, Minnelli’s stock in trade has been a particular, powerful combination of vulnerability and determination, of seeming like the strange yet compelling kid in the back of the class. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025 Wise, strange, and oddly serene, Capaldi’s Cameron contains the raw material to support every plot twist, while Poulter is smartly deployed in his brief but haunting appearance. —Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025 So what explains this strange little sequence by the side of the pitch? —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 4 Apr. 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
  • Continue reading … 'THIS IS SO CRAZY' – DOGE reveals bizarre findings of unemployment insurance claims.
    — FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Soon after, Verity joins Maria's team as a research assistant via a job listing the latter wasn't aware of, which kicks off a slew of other bizarre happenings in the office.
    — Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • Flooring may include exotic hardwoods or heated stone, and kitchens often feature professional-grade appliances, custom cabinetry, and designer fixtures.
    — Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
  • The White Lotus films at exotic locations across the world.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of exotic
Adjective
  • For example, some autistic adults are more comfortable spending time with family and lifelong friends, while others may feel more comfortable socializing with unfamiliar people.
    — Heidi Moawad, MD, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
  • As for the identity of Aradia herself, the name is unfamiliar to contemporary speakers of the dialects spoken in the Tuscany and Romagna regions that Leland allegedly visited.
    — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of unfamiliar
Adjective
  • Although not musicians, the Goldbergs quickly realized there was something unusual about their 3-year-old boy.
    — Steve Rothaus, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • For one group of six girls living in Waterloo, Canada, their lives took an unusual turn when a couple of very territorial geese decided to claim their front lawn as their own.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • So those [neoclassical] artists are to me, in a very weird sense, the very earliest photographers—except their medium was oil on canvas.
    — Mark Holgate, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The first sign of Mom Fatigue is leaving weird stuff in the fridge.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • There’s something inexorably romantic and swashbucklingly adventurous about commercial space travel—about normal people, non-astronauts like you and me, well, being astronauts.
    — Raven Smith, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Winter Spring Summer or Fall — a romantic drama starring Jenna Ortega and her former Wednesday co-star Percy Hynes White — is coming soon to digital streaming and theaters.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of romantic
Adjective
  • Giving consumers an authentic, memorable, and novel experience that shows how the brand understands the consumer on a deeper level forges a connection that can’t be bought.
    — Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But Guillory learned something crucial about her evolution as an author while working on her latest novel Flirting Lessons, out April 8.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of novel
Adjective
  • Addressed an issue where all horse saddles were uncommon.
    — Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • To be fair, government tech projects are complicated, and overruns aren’t uncommon.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 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 24 Apr. 2025.

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