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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 Both of the stranger sessions she’s done so far have been effortlessly fun and easy. Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 31 May 2025 The show is relatively straightforward: Each season features five comedians who must accomplish strange tasks involving household objects to accumulate points. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 May 2025 Venis also has a strange relationship with his child, essentially using it as a prop to help him through his own emotional turmoil. Andrew R. Chow, Time, 31 May 2025 Because of this strange clustering, the Atlantic Shark Institute has posted signs around Narragansett alerting beachgoers to be on the lookout. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for strange
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strange
Adjective
  • Joining me is my Staten Island brother, Pete Davidson, who unveils a darker, dramatic side as his character navigates a bizarre group of residents in an old age home.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
  • But inexplicably, Villa contrived to lose the game, thanks in no small part to goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s sending off in the first half for a bizarre body-check on Rasmus Hojlund.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • The alliance worked with numerous nonprofit organizations and programs to protect, rescue, train and care for animals and preserve their habitat, while raising public awareness about issues that concern domestic, farm, exotic, wild and native animals.
    Christie D’Zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
  • The 1,600-year-old mosaic intricately details scenes of hunting, exotic animals, mythological figures, fruit, and daily life within 55 medallions.
    Francesca Aton for ArtNews, Robb Report, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • This is often unfamiliar territory for professionals from traditional wealth backgrounds.
    Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • Nearly all the faces here are unfamiliar — and every one is entirely persuasive.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • But the boys also casually tell stories about the deprivations of their previous life, a reminder of how unusual their childhoods have been by American standards.
    Sacha Pfeiffer, NPR, 27 May 2025
  • While the timing off the surgery was a bit unusual, Tremble’s importance to the lineup — and the quick turnaround for rehabilitation — made the decision palatable to the organization.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Historically, Nintendo has had a weird relationship with the internet.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 3 June 2025
  • Can't wait for the weird personality quirks and side eye of judgment.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sundae Shoppe Italian Gelato Cups For a romantic picnic this summer, stock your cooler with a pair of these Sundae Shoppe Italian Gelato Cups.
    Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025
  • Last season, Savchenko hit the dance floor with Brooks Nader and the two kicked off an on-again-off-again romantic relationship that ended in April with the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model claiming Savchenko had cheated.
    Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Which is a very novel concept, because most things are incubated in the States or maybe overseas in the U.K.
    H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
  • In contrast, predictive procurement is a novel approach that leverages decision simulations for supplier selection, price negotiation and process steps to anticipate and respond to price fluctuations, ensuring businesses stay agile in an ever-changing market.
    Edmund Zagorin, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Acqui-hires are not uncommon in a competitive tech hiring environment.
    Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • SNRs aren't uncommon, but this particular example showcases numerous anomalies, including its astonishingly round shape.
    Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strange. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on strange

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