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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 Among the players connected to the disappearance are a wide and varied cast of Austin characters: an up-and-coming boxer who crossed the border from Mexico under strange circumstances, a rookie cop determined to crack the case, a grifter clown (figurative and literal). Lucas Schaefer june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025 In the summer of 2023, strange things happened to the tiny creatures that swim and float in the Chicago River. Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025 This year’s mayoral race has so far been a strange, frustrating exercise. Eric Lach, New Yorker, 13 June 2025 After coming to the Mets at the trade deadline, Blackburn had a serious of strange injuries, getting hit by a line drive on his hand, and then suffering from a spinal fluid leak that required surgery. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for strange
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strange
Adjective
  • While most players at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship are battling the Texas heat, slow play, and a demanding Fields Ranch East layout, Leona Maguire is dealing with something far more bizarre—tick bites!
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • The bizarre mix of world football and American football was once again clashing early in the game.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • As a world explorer for over 45 years, Dobson has visited more than 90 countries and is highly experienced in exotic travel and extreme luxury adventures.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • Now the nonprofit has more than 100 animals and takes in all kinds of exotic wildlife — most of them former pets.
    Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • Do not install anything from random links, especially those shared through ads, messages or unfamiliar websites. 2.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025
  • This is not an unfamiliar situation—the trust funds faced insolvency back in the early 1980s.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • James Hurley gives a moving performance at the Road House outside of Twin Peaks, and learns of an unusual vision experienced by his cockney co-worker at Great Northern security, Freddie, who will defend James from the attack of a jealous husband with a most unusual strength-enhancing glove.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 20 June 2025
  • Now, another unusual way to grab hiring managers attention is going viral: Sneaking your resume into a box of donuts.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • More Getty Images Adam Scott's weird practice round revealed As Scott prepares for the final showdown, a viral video has added much more interest in his golf swing.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • Plus there are the weird noises coming from a locked backroom upstairs.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • Research published in Journal of Personality in 2016 shows that, in romantic relationships, conditional approval (even when masked as praise) undermines relationship quality by threatening your sense of autonomy.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • But his romantic machinations to propose to his then-girlfriend, Amelia Harding, who is 20 years younger, didn’t end there.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • There are some new and novel ideas that might provide a way around this challenge.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 20 June 2025
  • After the first round of the Travelers Championship, the Northern Irishman showed up to answer reporters' questions, and the topic came up again, even taking a novel approach.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Every great American story is sentimental in the same way: instincts born out of struggle, the triumph of the schoolyard over the classroom, uncommon creativity driven by necessity.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
  • At the end of the day, the Ducks have an uncommon level of control over personnel between the ability to match any offer sheets to their RFAs and the circumstantial factors surrounding their UFAs.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strange. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

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