Synonyms of eerie

eerie

adjective

ˈir-ē 

variants also eery

as in creepy

fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic

eerie noises would occasionally come from locked rooms in the castle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• creepy
• weird
• haunting
• spooky
• uncanny
• bizarre
• unearthly
• unusual
• odd
• terrifying
• ghostly
• spectral
• horrible
• ghoulish
• peculiar
• spookish
• ghastly
• quirky
• mysterious
• ghostlike
• quaint
• curious
• terrible
• uncommon
• outlandish
• outré
• puzzling
• metaphysical
• supernatural
• enigmatic
• horrifying
• inscrutable
• dreadful
• enigmatical
• preternatural
• unaccustomed
• queerish
• fearsome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• normal
• common
• usual
• ordinary
• typical
• commonplace
• routine
• everyday
• natural
• prosaic
• unremarkable
• familiar
• unexceptional
• predictable
• expected

Synonym Chooser

How is the word eerie distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words uncanny and weird are common synonyms of eerie. While all three words mean "mysteriously strange or fantastic," eerie suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work.

an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid

When is it sensible to use uncanny instead of eerie?

While in some cases nearly identical to eerie, uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness.

an uncanny resemblance between total strangers

When can weird be used instead of eerie?

The words weird and eerie are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress peculiarity or oddness.

weird creatures from another world

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of eerie

The festival is still centered in Potsdamer Platz, an eerie dead zone in the center of Berlin. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025

Now, in the inner circle of what will one day become an infamous cult, Evie becomes increasingly fascinated by their eerie, hidden ranch and with Suzanne, a magnetic older girl in the group. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025

Nevertheless, he was hired to illustrate a number of books particularly for children, and gave them an eerie sheen, whether intentional or not. —Lisa Brown, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025

Every family has photos like this: a man posing with what is likely a prized possession, a Brownie camera; a woman in a living room chair looking unamused by the photographer; a trio of joyful young girls given an eerie overlay from a double exposure or developing mishap. —April White, JSTOR Daily, 17 Feb. 2025