as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
stray sightings of UFO's, none of which have been rigorously analyzed by scientists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to trespass
to commit an offense
our straying son swears he's returned to the straight and narrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stray
Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
The microchipping scanning stations are to help those who find a stray animal find its owner faster.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Bovino’s sense of mission never strayed from the Border Patrol’s roots.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Adjective
Water is scarce, rationed to just three hours a day in some districts, and packs of stray dogs roam the city.
—Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
The microchipping scanning stations are to help those who find a stray animal find its owner faster.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
The actual practice is noticing when your attention strays and bringing your mind back to your breath, linking your mind and body together in the present moment.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Bovino’s sense of mission never strayed from the Border Patrol’s roots.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
Adjective
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The agreement says Campbell’s campaign was selected for audit at a random drawing in 2023.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
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The second verse is no less random, with lyrics about moonwalking on a UFO, dropping bars while brushing teeth and a shout out to legendary 2001 blaxploitation-adjacent comedy Pootie Tang.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In its heyday, the series was forced to contend with photographers trespassing on the set, hiding in bushes and trees in hopes of capturing major spoilers.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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The driver refuses to get out and argues that police are trespassing on private property.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The threat for heavy rain in South Florida is diminishing, however typical scattered thunderstorms with locally heavy downpours are still possible in the area through the weekend.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
13 Sep. 2025
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The result was a mile-long line that turned scattered craftwork into synchronized production.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Her task now is simply to wander, wait and listen.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
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Despite its common name, this creature wasn’t simply a lion that wandered into the Americas.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And part of that structure is ensuring that the IRS consistently enforces the code without imposing arbitrary changes on certain taxpayers.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Both sides have also carried out arbitrary detentions, with SAF interrogating and beating dozens of Christians in 2024 and 2025.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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New residential property prices fell year-on-year during August in 65 out of 70 cities surveyed by the NBS, data also showed.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
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Penske’s complaint argues that practice isn’t a fair exchange and has caused significant financial harm, with the company’s affiliate revenue falling by more than a third (as a result of Google’s AI Overviews co-opting traffic that might have otherwise gone to Penske outlets).—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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