strange

adjective

ˈstrānj How to pronounce strange (audio)
Definition of strangenext
1
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
2
as in exotic
excitingly or mysteriously unusual strange fruits from faraway lands

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3
as in unfamiliar
not known or experienced before using public transportation was all very strange to a rural girl like her

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4
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
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 Roman looks for instability in the first stars Perhaps the most exciting cosmic explosion discovery that Roman could make would be the observation of the strange explosive death of the universe's first stars. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 July 2025 Researchers describe the cellular mechanism behind this strange ability in a study published in late June in the Journal of Experimental Biology. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025 Trump, however, claimed during the roundtable that his uncle noticed the Unabomber's strange characteristics while at MIT. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 17 July 2025 Ali spends a good chunk of time confused by the strange words whirling around him. —Christopher J. Yates july 9, Literary Hub, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for strange
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strange
  1. bizarre
  2. exotic
  3. unfamiliar
  4. unusual
  5. weird
  6. romantic
  7. novel
  8. uncommon
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
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • In May 2001, Jennifer Stahl, 39, an artist, singer, and actor, who had a minor role in Dirty Dancing, was selling exotic weed to an artsy clientele out of her sixth-floor apartment above the famous Jewish deli across the street from Carnegie Hall.
    — John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2025
  • Asian culture at a discount Malaysia draws U.S. retirees to its steamy Southeast Asia climate for its low cost of living, outdoor vistas and exotic mix of cultures.
    — William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of exotic
Adjective
  • People unfamiliar with certain disasters — such as out-of-town visitors caught in the Hill Country flooding — may be at higher risk during emergencies.
    — Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • The short clip features Maya locking herself in the bathroom of an unfamiliar home when all of a sudden an axe comes flying through the closed door.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 July 2025
Definition of unfamiliar
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
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • And that’s exactly the kind of weird the planet needs.
    — Heather Wishart-Smith, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Though country rock at their core, Roadhouse Band songs are flush with woodwinds and pedal steel, weird horns and synthesizers.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2025
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • This week American Ballet Theater is coming to Orange Country’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts July 24-27 to perform the classic romantic ballet Giselle.
    — Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The fresh take on Austen’s first novel — which follows the differing romantic journeys of sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood after their father’s death forces them to leave their family’s estate — has officially started filming in the United Kingdom.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 21 July 2025
Definition of romantic
Adjective
  • But in reality, many of the most successful companies didn’t start with novel inventions.
    — Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Her novel Tongue was published in English by Bloomsbury in 2009.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
Definition of novel
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
Definition of uncommon

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Cite this Entry

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

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