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

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 exotic

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

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 outlandish Cohen’s brand of comedy revolves around him embodying outlandish characters and then provoking a reaction from onlookers. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 It was also applied to various New York acts – the Ramones, the New York Dolls, Richard Hell – who experimented with outlandish outfits, back-to-basics songwriting, and themes of teenage alienation. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026 The outlandish idea turned into a collaborative 90-second video, created with Garage Beer, which is owned by Jason and Travis Kelce. — Ashley Capoot,garrett Downs, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 On July 18, a post from the user Bosshood featuring the track and a similarly outlandish dance racked up more than 471,000 likes. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outlandish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlandish

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

Its primary location, on Exchange Street, is its top-performing retail outlet in the US, but the smaller Drover location is where the team measures for custom boots in exotic skins and dozens of color combinations.

— Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
With the exotic car market being higher than ever, many cars were sold at the RM Sotheby's Monterey auction for multimillion-dollar price tags.

— Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of exotic

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

The Saturday Night Live alum worked with Fey on that show and on his current romantic dramedy, Netflix’s The Four Seasons.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
But though these chemicals are linked to mating in animal species, a link between pheromones and romantic attraction hasn’t been established in humans.

— Rachel Hale, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of romantic

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

Adjective

This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
There’s a comically weird dinner with Kel’s ex, Sabrina (a scintillatingly eccentric Jasmin Savoy Brown).

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of weird

Adjective

Still, the closing play couldn’t erase an erratic and largely unproductive day for the Commanders’ offense.

— Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The symptoms found in those with CTE include memory loss, mood swings, erratic behavioral actions and more.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of erratic

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outlandish

outlands

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“Outlandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlandish. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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