CURIOUS Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'curious' contrast with its synonyms?

The words inquisitive and prying are common synonyms of curious . While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," curious , a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know. // children are curious about everything

Q: When could 'inquisitive' be used to replace 'curious'?

The words inquisitive and curious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing. // dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

Q: When is 'prying' a more appropriate choice than 'curious'?

The synonyms prying and curious are sometimes interchangeable, but prying implies busy meddling and officiousness. // prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

curious

adjective

ˈkyu̇r-ē-əs

Definition of curious next

as in inquisitive

interested in what is not one's own business curious neighbors peered out of their windows as the new people moved in

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strange

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion that's a pretty curious coincidence—almost too curious to be believed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unusual

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced that is one of the most curious paintings I've ever seen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective curious contrast with its synonyms?

The words inquisitive and prying are common synonyms of curious. While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

When could inquisitive be used to replace curious?

The words inquisitive and curious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

When is prying a more appropriate choice than curious?

The synonyms prying and curious are sometimes interchangeable, but prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

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 curious Welcome to the Bon Appétit Bake Club, a community of curious bakers. —

Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 June 2026 With this collection for Walmart, Bridges joins a roster of international designers making high-end design more accessible to the design-curious. —

Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 1 June 2026 Have a beauty or wellness trend you‘re curious about? —

Emma Specter, Vogue, 1 June 2026 Advertisement The cleanup goes global Until the smartphone era, this was a localized phenomenon, a curious factoid in a guidebook to Japan. —

Bobby Ghosh, Time, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for curious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curious

Adjective

Izabella, who also goes by Izzy, is a wonderful girl with an inquisitive, outgoing, and confident personality.

— CBS News, CBS News, 27 May 2026
In practice, this requires finance to be inquisitive beyond reporting numbers and invest in understanding the operation and the rigor required to change financial outcomes.

— Daniah Robertson, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026