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Synonym Chooser

How is the word uncanny distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words eerie and weird are common synonyms of uncanny. While all three words mean "mysteriously strange or fantastic," uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness.

an uncanny resemblance between total strangers

In what contexts can eerie take the place of uncanny?

The words eerie and uncanny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eerie suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work.

an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid

When would weird be a good substitute for uncanny?

Although the words weird and uncanny have much in common, weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress peculiarity or oddness.

weird creatures from another world

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 uncanny But even walled-garden YouTube spaces like YouTube Kids are full of freakazoid AI cartoons; uncanny, disturbing IP ripoffs; and kid influencers who turn their whole houses into ball pits and unbox their constant procession of brand-new toys. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 29 July 2025 Billy Corgan and his band shared a series of TikTok memes on Instagram playing up the long-running fan joke about Corgan and Way’s uncanny resemblance. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 21 July 2025 With his strange machines and an uncanny, intuitive understanding of muscles, Joseph Pilates created a new technique for improving strength and movement. Alma Guillermoprieto, The New York Review of Books, 31 July 2025 The uncanny aspects of the film, first seen in a prologue in which a pair of search dogs becomes abnormally obsessed with each other after venturing into the cavern, initially manifest for Millie and Tim as a strange stickiness. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncanny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncanny
Adjective
  • Sometimes an oven is like that mysterious black box on a magician's stage where odd things go in, and something far more delightful comes out.
    Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Things took a turn after the former couple found their dog Musso chewing on a mysterious object.
    Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile Kal-El, an alien from the planet Krypton who embraces a new identity on Earth as Superman, comes well-equipped with superhuman abilities.
    Devan Coggan, EW.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Who knows how cribbage culture might change if computers ever get superhuman cribbage abilities.
    Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • In eerie fashion during a 2000 match against the Columbus Crew, Balboa came true on what drew Anschutz to him in the first place.
    Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025
  • More and more people are having the eerie experience of knowing that they have been manipulated or misled, but not being sure by whom.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Both the New Heights podcast and Taylor Nation hinted at the announcement with cryptic social media posts on Monday morning, sending fans into an investigative frenzy.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
  • But the anticipation — and online speculation — spiked on Monday, after the star released a series of cryptic social media posts.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But leaning into the miraculous, improbable achievement of an online actual play series selling out MSG, the cast and crew were determined to do it up.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2025
  • And a couple of weeks later, those conversations paid off in Sporting’s somewhat miraculous win over the L.A. Galaxy.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Based on a 1967 semi-autobiographical short story by Akiyuki Nosaka, the film is a haunting, harrowing look at the physical and emotional costs of war.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 10 Aug. 2025
  • The novel is described as a haunting portrait of five strangers forging fragile bonds amid war and displacement on the Sudanese border.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • The round shape and clear sides let the punch’s pumpkin orange hue shine, creating a mystic effect—especially when surrounded by a bit of dry ice mist.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2025
  • There is a mystic register to this faithful wanting, religious or otherwise.
    Terry Nguyen July 23, Literary Hub, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Thanks to Roman and Milo’s new magical powers, Justin is now tasked with training three young wizardsfor the Family Wizard Competition.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
  • But when the Twits rise to power in their town, two brave orphans and a family of magical animals are forced to become as tricky as the Twits in order to save the city.
    Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Uncanny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncanny. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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