1
2
3
4
5
6

Synonym Chooser

How is the word peculiar distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of peculiar are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

In what contexts can eccentric take the place of peculiar?

While in some cases nearly identical to peculiar, 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 peculiar?

The words erratic and peculiar are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is odd a more appropriate choice than peculiar?

The synonyms odd and peculiar are sometimes interchangeable, but odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When would outlandish be a good substitute for peculiar?

The meanings of outlandish and peculiar largely overlap; however, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is it sensible to use quaint instead of peculiar?

Although the words quaint and peculiar have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to peculiar?

The words singular and peculiar can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When can strange be used instead of peculiar?

In some situations, the words strange and peculiar are roughly equivalent. However, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When might unique be a better fit than peculiar?

While the synonyms unique and peculiar are close in meaning, 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 peculiar Here are the top five things that made Katy Perry’s Austin stop a truly unforgettable, if at times peculiar, pop odyssey: 1. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 On one peculiar planet, things don’t quite go as planned. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 2025 The short clip has melted hearts as the senior pup showed off her peculiar walking preference to over 15 million viewers since being posted earlier this week. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 All defenses are determined by state law (with the exception of a loan made by a bank that is later taken over by the FDIC), and of course the various states have their own peculiar defenses to personal guarantees. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for peculiar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peculiar
Adjective
  • Summer storms cause travel headaches every year, but these numbers are not unusual.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • Their target area was unusual, though: a strip of lawn between the road and a fence bordering Interstate 65, where homeless people have set up about two dozen tents over the first half of this year.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • His disjointed, dissonant rhythms were his attempt to accompany the chaos — like providing a real-time soundtrack to a strange silent movie.
    David Kushner, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2025
  • That same day, the AI chatbot Grok, which is controlled by Musk’s xAI, kicked off its own strange Epstein tirade.
    John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Daytime activity is not uncommon and does not necessarily indicate rabies.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • Such a letter is not uncommon but normally would not be public, Dubin said.
    Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: [email protected].
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
  • Clint Eastwood is as impersonal a personal filmmaker as modern Hollywood has to offer.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Meeting space, which is also popular for weddings, is another distinctive amenity.
    Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
  • The country has a low cost of living, a low crime rate and distinctive cuisine.
    William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Your nerve cells are responsible for sending impulses to specific muscle cells throughout your body to create movement, sensation, or behaviors.
    Janelle McSwiggin, Health, 20 July 2025
  • But Zeldin faces a major hurdle in accomplishing this feat: The existing PFAS standards are backed by the best currently available scientific evidence linking these specific chemicals to a range of adverse health effects.
    David Michaels, The Atlantic, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • The path to extraordinary results starts with recognizing what already comes naturally to you.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Getty Images/Warren Little The World No. 1 will have the extraordinary chance to complete it on his 30th birthday, as his birthday, June 21, coincides with the final round of next year's US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Some 40 of these bizarre, geochemically-active sub-Neptunes are currently being studied observationally.
    Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • As a result of a bizarre last-minute decision, the nominees in two Emmys categories will be announced Tuesday morning on CBS nearly four hours ahead of the TV Academy’s official nominations announcement, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
    Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Peculiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peculiar. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on peculiar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!