CURIOUS Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'curious' contrast with its synonyms?

The words inquisitive and prying are common synonyms of curious . While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," curious , a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know. // children are curious about everything

Q: When could 'inquisitive' be used to replace 'curious'?

The words inquisitive and curious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing. // dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

Q: When is 'prying' a more appropriate choice than 'curious'?

The synonyms prying and curious are sometimes interchangeable, but prying implies busy meddling and officiousness. // prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

curious

adjective

ˈkyu̇r-ē-əs

Definition of curious

as in inquisitive

interested in what is not one's own business curious neighbors peered out of their windows as the new people moved in

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strange

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion that's a pretty curious coincidence—almost too curious to be believed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unusual

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced that is one of the most curious paintings I've ever seen

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective curious contrast with its synonyms?

The words inquisitive and prying are common synonyms of curious. While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

When could inquisitive be used to replace curious?

The words inquisitive and curious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

When is prying a more appropriate choice than curious?

The synonyms prying and curious are sometimes interchangeable, but prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

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 curious Studies have found associations between living healthier for longer in people who are curious, social and report lower stress levels. — New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 Much like hundreds of curious TikTok commenters, Quinn wants to get to the bottom of what happened. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Why Gen Z is embracing sober curious drinking Three forces are pulling Gen Z toward more selective drinking, and none of them look like old-school temperance. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Here’s what the sober curious meaning actually looks like, what’s driving it and what the research says so far. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curious

Adjective

Bindi, a young female wallaby, is inquisitive and extremely curious, while Wally, a young male wallaby, is more cautious and likes to look at things from afar, Borozenets said.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Paige is energetic, determined, and inquisitive where Kevin is defeatist, sad, and zhlubby.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of inquisitive

Adjective

Some are quieter this year, some are almost ridiculous, but all of them share a strange sense of purpose.

— Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
His attempt to discover what he is supposed to be doing propels him through a succession of increasingly strange encounters, as his search for purpose becomes entangled with his desire for love, friendship and some kind of place in the world.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

While his batting order remains unchanged, the team has made an unusual move, relocating Guerrero's locker to a new spot.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Land exchanges are common elsewhere in the federal government, but exchanging National Park Service land for private development access is unusual, NOTUS reported, citing a former park service official.

— Annie Palmer, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

Analysts also noted that a private equity buyer would eliminate any potential conflict concerns and could be most interested to ride the stock's momentum.

— Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Kelley is much more interested in Taylor’s appetites—for food, for men, for feuds—than in the nuances of her acting.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of interested

Adjective

The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Twenty-eight million views on YouTube certified the bizarre piece as a fan favorite.

— Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

Following his diagnosis and death, Brody’s parents received messages from other families in Ladera Ranch whose children had suffered from the same uncommon disease.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The league could perhaps benefit from such messaging in its stadiums and on its helmets because DUI arrests or other traffic incidents involving NFL people are not uncommon.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying — and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.

— Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying -- and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.

— Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023

Definition of prying

Adjective

The end result is Murder Bites, my funny, quirky mystery that takes place in a small town where everyone is obsessed with their tiny designer dogs.

— Mimi Montgomery, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
What is sort of funny is imagining how immersion in the city’s cultural scene fits into Vanderbilt’s broader ambitions.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of funny

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“Curious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curious. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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