QUAINT Synonyms: 194 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'quaint' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of quaint are eccentric , erratic , odd , outlandish , peculiar , singular , strange , and unique . While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. // a quaint fishing village

Q: When is it sensible to use 'eccentric' instead of 'quaint'?

The words eccentric and quaint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. // the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Q: Where would 'erratic' be a reasonable alternative to 'quaint'?

While the synonyms erratic and quaint are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. // a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Q: When might 'odd' be a better fit than 'quaint'?

In some situations, the words odd and quaint are roughly equivalent. However, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. // an odd sense of humor

Q: When could 'outlandish' be used to replace 'quaint'?

The synonyms outlandish and quaint are sometimes interchangeable, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. // outlandish fashions of the time

Q: In what contexts can 'peculiar' take the place of 'quaint'?

Although the words peculiar and quaint have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. // the peculiar status of America's first lady

Q: When would 'singular' be a good substitute for 'quaint'?

The words singular and quaint can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. // a singular feeling of impending disaster

Q: When is 'strange' a more appropriate choice than 'quaint'?

While in some cases nearly identical to quaint , strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable. // a journey filled with strange sights

Q: When can 'unique' be used instead of 'quaint'?

The meanings of unique and quaint largely overlap; however, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. // a career unique in the annals of science

quaint

adjective

ˈkwānt

Definition of quaint next

as in bizarre

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion the sudden appearance of a man dressed in quaint clothes immediately drew the notice of passersby

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in antique

pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time a quaint general store on one of the back roads of Vermont

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word quaint distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of quaint are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is it sensible to use eccentric instead of quaint?

The words eccentric and quaint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Where would erratic be a reasonable alternative to quaint?

While the synonyms erratic and quaint are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When might odd be a better fit than quaint?

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

an odd sense of humor

When could outlandish be used to replace quaint?

The synonyms outlandish and quaint are sometimes interchangeable, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

In what contexts can peculiar take the place of quaint?

Although the words peculiar and quaint have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When would singular be a good substitute for quaint?

The words singular and quaint can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When is strange a more appropriate choice than quaint?

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

a journey filled with strange sights

When can unique be used instead of quaint?

The meanings of unique and quaint largely overlap; however, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

Examples 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 quaint The lighting is bright, the locations are quaint, and the quips all come with a pre-packaged air of warmth and wisdom. —

Katie Rife, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2024 From the start, though, there’s nothing quaint about the filmmaking. —

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Sep. 2024 Some of that is optics: A power plant emitting plumes of black smoke screams pollution, while a pasture of cattle, chickens, or pigs along the highway looks natural and quaint — even eco-friendly. —

Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024 One consequence of the Supreme Court's recent decision on presidential immunity may seem laughably quaint—its consequences for the Nuremberg Principles—collectively, the idea that the law could address, and thus deter, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for quaint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quaint

Adjective

Physicists debated for decades (opens a new tab) whether this bizarre superfluid-solid hybrid could exist.

Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
These may seem like last-ditch efforts in the final runup to Tuesday, or like counter-programming to the increasingly vocal (and bizarre) antics of Elon Musk.

WIRED, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024