STRANGE Synonyms: 169 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

strange

adjective

ˈstrānj

Definition of strange next

as in bizarre

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion the strange smell we'd noticed turned out, unhappily, to be from the dinner our host was making

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exotic

excitingly or mysteriously unusual strange fruits from faraway lands

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as in unfamiliar

not known or experienced before using public transportation was all very strange to a rural girl like her

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in unusual

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced a rather strange story about a garden filled with poisonous plants

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strange land

mysterious land

peculiar 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

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 strange Everything about this new Rae was strange, campy, and, most important, fun. —

Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025 Things only get stranger from there, involving everything from an office goat pen to a terrifyingly ominous dance party. —

Andrew Webster, The Verge, 18 Jan. 2025 Asked if there’s a moment that’s especially strange, like when the lineup is introduced or when the game starts, Beal said every moment is weird. —

Doug Haller, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025 The relationship ended abruptly when Vanessa Townsend, Townsend’s wife, received a strange flower delivery accompanied by a note informing her of the affair. —

Paige Harriss, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for strange

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strange

Adjective

Duran Duran has paid tribute to the late American filmmaker David Lynch, whose brilliant and bizarre films laid the inspirational groundwork for a young Nick Rhodes.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2025
By Judy Berman January 17, 2025 6:00 AM EST The spectacular finale of Severance’s first season introduced a love triangle more bizarre than New Order could ever have imagined.

— Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025