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
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2025
As Palisades Fire Expands East Apple Brings Back iPhone 15 Pro For First Time—At Lower Price
In this way, Laika and her stray comrades embodied the determination and sacrifice that characterized the era’s space race.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025
His illuminating backstage account of cable news describes thoughtful journalists debasing themselves in their scramble to retain straying viewers.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stray 
Adjective
The police shooting happened around the corner from where a 57-year-old woman was shot by a stray bullet earlier Friday, cops said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2025
As Palisades Fire Expands East Apple Brings Back iPhone 15 Pro For First Time—At Lower Price
In this way, Laika and her stray comrades embodied the determination and sacrifice that characterized the era’s space race.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
That could prove beneficial for Mandelson when up against Trump, who has long strayed from engaging in traditional diplomacy.
—Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025
His illuminating backstage account of cable news describes thoughtful journalists debasing themselves in their scramble to retain straying viewers.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
Adjective
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Experts say the four recent accidents should not be viewed as a systemic, nationwide problem, but rather as four random events that happened to cluster together in time.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
TIME,
11 Feb. 2025
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Each random aside and unexpected focal point helps develop the characters, fleshing out Marshall, Frances, Copano, and Harrington beyond their function in the narrative.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Even before the treaty’s ratification, white settlers trespassed on the Nez Perce reservation in search of gold, according to the National Park Service.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2025
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For example, Henry can trespass on private property and sneak in a nap in a stranger’s bed or eat from their pot of stew at the risk of getting caught by the homeowner and driven out of town.—
George Yang,
Rolling Stone,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Each August, visiting Grandma Ida, my husband and son and I would wander the city (Detroit Institute of the Arts!—
SPIN Contributor,
SPIN,
11 Feb. 2025
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Then, caught in a flood that submerges everything, the cat ascends and eventually wanders toward a boat with a capybara, lemur, stork, and golden retriever.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The doctors argued the removal was arbitrary and capricious, violating the Administrative Procedure Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Driving the news: The states charge the administration acted in an arbitrary and capricious way by not explaining the basis for the cap.—
Tina Reed,
Axios,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Good news for green energy The cost of a utility-scale solar panels has fallen 82% since 2010, according to the the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
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Just like this claim, the others will fall apart because there is no truth to them.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near stray
Cite this Entry
“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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