BIZARRE Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'bizarre' different from other adjectives like it?

The words fantastic and grotesque are common synonyms of bizarre . While all three words mean "conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality," bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination. // a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

Q: When can 'fantastic' be used instead of 'bizarre'?

While the synonyms fantastic and bizarre are close in meaning, fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention. // dreamed up fantastic rumors

Q: When might 'grotesque' be a better fit than 'bizarre'?

Although the words grotesque and bizarre have much in common, grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones. // grotesque statues on the cathedral // though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

bizarre

adjective

bə-ˈzär

Definition of bizarre next

as in absurd

conceived or made without regard for reason or reality a bizarre invention that no one could figure out how to use

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strange

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion he gave a bizarre excuse for getting home so late

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word bizarre different from other adjectives like it?

The words fantastic and grotesque are common synonyms of bizarre. While all three words mean "conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality," bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination.

a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

When can fantastic be used instead of bizarre?

While the synonyms fantastic and bizarre are close in meaning, fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention.

dreamed up fantastic rumors

When might grotesque be a better fit than bizarre?

Although the words grotesque and bizarre have much in common, grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones.

grotesque statues on the cathedral

though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

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 bizarre Even by the standards of Trump's most bizarre pronouncements, this one is beyond the pale. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 In Kinda Pregnant, an inert Netflix comedy directed by Tyler Spindel from a script penned by Julie Paiva and Amy Schumer, baby fever leads to questionable decision making and a bizarre, but ultimately predictable, adventure. —

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025 Webster delves into the unbelievable, bizarre, and sad story of Riley, whose secret shattered a family and stunned a community. —

Doc Louallen, ABC News, 31 Jan. 2025 Does that explain his bizarre excursion to allow Arnaut Danjuma to score? —

Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bizarre

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bizarre

Adjective

These absurd names and acronyms speak to both the cult-y side of the Eagans and to the ways that corporations keep trying to reinvent things, words included, that worked just fine as is.

— Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025
This gorgeous film’s premise is a simple, humanist, and not particularly dramatic one, of the type that the Italian neorealists treasured, but it’s been given an absurd, comic-romantic spin.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025