OUTLANDISH Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'outlandish' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of outlandish are eccentric , erratic , odd , peculiar , quaint , singular , strange , and unique . While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. // outlandish fashions of the time

Q: When is it sensible to use 'eccentric' instead of 'outlandish'?

The words eccentric and outlandish can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. // the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Q: In what contexts can 'erratic' take the place of 'outlandish'?

Although the words erratic and outlandish have much in common, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. // a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Q: When can 'odd' be used instead of 'outlandish'?

In some situations, the words odd and outlandish are roughly equivalent. However, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. // an odd sense of humor

Q: When would 'peculiar' be a good substitute for 'outlandish'?

While the synonyms peculiar and outlandish are close in meaning, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. // the peculiar status of America's first lady

Q: When could 'quaint' be used to replace 'outlandish'?

The meanings of quaint and outlandish largely overlap; however, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. // a quaint fishing village

Q: When is 'singular' a more appropriate choice than 'outlandish'?

The words singular and outlandish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. // a singular feeling of impending disaster

Q: Where would 'strange' be a reasonable alternative to 'outlandish'?

While in some cases nearly identical to outlandish , strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable. // a journey filled with strange sights

Q: When might 'unique' be a better fit than 'outlandish'?

The synonyms unique and outlandish are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. // a career unique in the annals of science

outlandish

adjective

ˌau̇t-ˈlan-dish

Definition of outlandish next

as in bizarre

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion an outlandish outfit made entirely out of bottle caps

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in romantic

excitingly or mysteriously unusual the outlandish tribal rituals that astonished early explorers of that land

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word outlandish distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

outlandish fashions of the time

When is it sensible to use eccentric instead of outlandish?

The words eccentric and outlandish can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

In what contexts can erratic take the place of outlandish?

Although the words erratic and outlandish have much in common, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When can odd be used instead of outlandish?

In some situations, the words odd and outlandish are roughly equivalent. However, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When would peculiar be a good substitute for outlandish?

While the synonyms peculiar and outlandish are close in meaning, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When could quaint be used to replace outlandish?

The meanings of quaint and outlandish largely overlap; however, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is singular a more appropriate choice than outlandish?

The words singular and outlandish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

Where would strange be a reasonable alternative to outlandish?

While in some cases nearly identical to outlandish, 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 outlandish?

The synonyms unique and outlandish are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

Examples 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 outlandish Paul’s post adds tons of legitimacy because McGregor has been known to say some outlandish things on social media. —

Brian Mazique, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 This has led to rampant speculation among members of the public, experts, and lawmakers, sometimes even turning to outlandish conspiracy theories, to explain the phenomenon. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024 The role of the Wizard, which was played by the singularly outlandish Brooks Ashmanskas, now is portrayed by Kevin Del Aguila, who finds a different vein of humor, turning the character into a hack magician, desperate to resurrect his hoary act. —

Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024 In a system that delivers high-quality care to those who can afford it and successfully navigate it, but enrages many people who encounter its restrictions and outlandish costs, the answers to these sorts of questions are often hard to find. —

John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for outlandish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlandish

Adjective

When Amazon began exclusively broadcasting NFL games a few years ago, the notion of a tech company streaming primetime football seemed bizarre.

Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 5 Jan. 2025
This is our fourth installment of Tabloid Fiction, in which an author chooses from the trashiest, most lurid, or just bizarre stories of the moment and writes a short story inspired by same.

Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025