bizarre

adjective

bə-ˈzär How to pronounce bizarre (audio)
Definition of bizarrenext
1
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality a bizarre invention that no one could figure out how to use

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strange
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion he gave a bizarre excuse for getting home so late

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bizarre different from other adjectives like it?

The words fantastic and grotesque are common synonyms of bizarre. While all three words mean "conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality," bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination.

a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

When can fantastic be used instead of bizarre?

While the synonyms fantastic and bizarre are close in meaning, fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention.

dreamed up fantastic rumors

When might grotesque be a better fit than bizarre?

Although the words grotesque and bizarre have much in common, grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones.

grotesque statues on the cathedral
though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

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 bizarre Fluctuating estrogen levels can disrupt the nerves responsible for your sense of scent, leading to this symptom that’s equally bizarre and annoying. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026 Netflix has unveiled the official trailer of a bizarre reality competition show based on Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 But the story takes a detour and jumps to another time period, where a family crisis brewing over the bizarre actions of a troubled woman (Cristin Milioti) rattle her husband (Topher Grace) and their two children. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 Instead of efficient, state-of-the-art production lines, half a billion dollars in taxpayer funding paid for machines that kept failing in bizarre ways, former workers told ProPublica’s Jesse Coburn. — ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bizarre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bizarre
  1. absurd
  2. strange
  3. insane
  4. weird
  5. foolish
  6. odd
  7. unreal
  8. funny
Adjective
  • The Appalachian Trail is absolutely brutal The distance alone is obviously absurd, but mileage is only part of what makes the AT such a beast.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The selection process does not judge whether a study is admirable or absurd, good or bad.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of absurd
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
  • Darby hit an insane Coffin Drop from a lighting rig, through the stage on Knight.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • That base price of about $5,000 may sound insane to the average person but likely won’t hurt the pockets of the average Lamborghini customer.
    — Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of insane
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
  • When his splitter is at its best, Cruz makes opposing hitters look foolish.
    — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But Americans would be foolish to think that Washington is anywhere near solving this problem.
    — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of foolish
Adjective
  • Cue a cross-generational odd-couple road trip, with rather more sightseeing detours than Parini had planned for.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Watching a haunting play out in the moment around a thousand strangers gives the thing an odd and interesting warmth.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of odd
Adjective
  • Similarly, for the protagonist of Conrad’s story, Captain Whalley, the true life is the life of ships, and changes of fates onshore seem only laterally relevant, near unreal.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Continue reading … DEFYING GRAVITY — MLB outfielder goes full Spider-Man, makes baseball's catch of the year with unreal grab.
    — , FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of unreal
Adjective
  • The results are sexy and funny, strange and gorgeous, personal and political, unconcerned with taboo or traditional structure.
    — Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Royals’ bat boy comes in and out of view, but there are two funny moments.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of funny

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biweekly
bizarre
bizarreness
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Cite this Entry

“Bizarre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bizarre. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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