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
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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
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2025
On Friday, automatic gunshots could be heard throughout Port-au-Prince where people brave enough to take to the streets were ducking stray bullets — even in restaurants.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 Mar. 2025
And if the couple is separated mid-series-binge, they are permitted TV stray and go solo.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Adjective
After catching that stray bullet, Benson directed, produced, and starred in the films Chance (2002) and Lovers, Liars & Lunatics (2006).
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2025
On Friday, automatic gunshots could be heard throughout Port-au-Prince where people brave enough to take to the streets were ducking stray bullets — even in restaurants.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
However, her icy reception shatters him, forcing him to reconcile his complicity with the king’s behavior and how far he’s strayed from his personal beliefs.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 Mar. 2025
And if the couple is separated mid-series-binge, they are permitted TV stray and go solo.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
Adjective
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Cooper Josephine: This started in [Montreal’s] Lafontaine Park when I was scouted by a random person with a clipboard.—
James Factora,
Them.,
31 Mar. 2025
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And because new keys can be made only through random mutation, the odds of obtaining all the right ones are very slim.—
Ron Barrett,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Last year, Wheeler served two days in Vernon County jail on six trespassing convictions from 2020, 2022 and 2023.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
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Reality check: Municipalities could still cite trespassing laws as the reason for removal, but IDHR and advocates say removal and fines just for being unhoused is a violation.—
Carrie Shepherd,
Axios,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The banal village tunes that Mahler altered into sinister mock vulgarities—did these not recall the raffish klezmer bands, the wandering musicians who played at shtetl weddings?—
David Denby,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
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The vehicle wandered across the road far more than any already ill-handling Defender should, its brakes were weak, and gear shifts were accompanied by a prominent clunk.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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What follows is a twisted examination of motherhood and the arbitrary expectations of adulthood.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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This is less sound economic policymaking than the arbitrary dispersal of favors.—
David B. McGarry,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Amid controversy and lukewarm reviews, the opening weekend haul falls short of Tim Burton’s Dumbo, which opened to $45 million in 2019.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
23 Mar. 2025
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As 2016 research from Personality and Individual Differences explains, cognitive styles fall on a broad spectrum: Impulsivity vs. reflectivity.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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