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
Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Hamilton County's stray dogs soon will replace shelves filled with old court cases in a sprawling, one-story brick warehouse.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Virgin occupies a headspace removed from the certainty of those desires but makes sure not to stray so far from the synth-pop pack.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Adjective
After building sand castles on the beach with her sisters, the family started walking back to the hotel room when a stray dog yelped and ran into the bushes for no apparent reason.
—Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Hamilton County's stray dogs soon will replace shelves filled with old court cases in a sprawling, one-story brick warehouse.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Verb
What Happens Next Now, the bill returns to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has warned the Senate not to stray far from what was already passed.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Virgin occupies a headspace removed from the certainty of those desires but makes sure not to stray so far from the synth-pop pack.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
Adjective
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Keppler notes that the 10-year time frame isn’t random.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
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This behaviour can also be triggered by a random and undefined phrase or prompt.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Police responded to the home shortly before 5 p.m. when Fahey called 911 and reported that the two men trespassed on his property.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
18 July 2025
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Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell filed court documents accusing a Florida sheriff's office of failing to remove beachgoers who trespass on his oceanfront property and is asking a judge to intervene.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
17 July 2025
Verb
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Between all that, cosplayers wander around and fans stop to buy action figures, play video games and meet their favorite artists.—
Olivia Petty,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
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The clinic recommends taking actions including wearing bug spray with DEET, wearing gloves when dealing with animals that could be infected, and not allowing pets to wander around outside if located in an area that is known to have plague.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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There are no longer arbitrary divisions in which people say that different functions aren’t their job or concern.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Marylanders deserve a civil justice system that recognizes the full scope of human suffering and empowers citizen juries to render verdicts based on evidence rather than arbitrary limitations.—
Bruce M. Plaxen,
Baltimore Sun,
12 July 2025
Verb
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The Northern Territory has previously experienced cases of falling trees causing death, per the outlet.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
21 July 2025
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More aggressive treatment options Advertisement In particularly severe cases—especially when someone has an underlying autoimmune disease—OTC eye drops and lifestyle modifications will likely fall short.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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