UNCANNY Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'uncanny' distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words eerie and weird are common synonyms of uncanny . While all three words mean "mysteriously strange or fantastic," uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness. // an uncanny resemblance between total strangers

Q: In what contexts can 'eerie' take the place of 'uncanny'?

The words eerie and uncanny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eerie suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work. // an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid

Q: When would 'weird' be a good substitute for 'uncanny'?

Although the words weird and uncanny have much in common, weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress peculiarity or oddness. // weird creatures from another world

uncanny

adjective

ˌən-ˈka-nē

Definition of uncanny

as in mysterious

being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain a number of uncanny parallels in the lives of the twins who had been separated at birth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in superhuman

being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature an uncanny gift for knowing when someone, no matter how distant, needed help

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in eerie

fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic uncanny and unexpected shadows along the mountainsides

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word uncanny distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words eerie and weird are common synonyms of uncanny. While all three words mean "mysteriously strange or fantastic," uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness.

an uncanny resemblance between total strangers

In what contexts can eerie take the place of uncanny?

The words eerie and uncanny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eerie suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work.

an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid

When would weird be a good substitute for uncanny?

Although the words weird and uncanny have much in common, weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress peculiarity or oddness.

weird creatures from another world

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 uncanny These particles efficiently scatter the blue and green light while letting red and orange wavelengths pass through, creating the uncanny feeling of an all-day sunset. — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 How does the uncanny persist in our culture today, if at all? — Geoffrey O’Brien, The New York Review of Books, 22 Aug. 2026 From production design and cinematography to the evolution of genre conventions, her work often reflects a deep appreciation for the early half of last century — and an uncanny ability to trace its fingerprints across the movies being made today. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026 Robert Rodriguez While both Lam and Rodriguez’s careers started decades apart, there are uncanny matches between their paths. — Rebecca Suhrawardi, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncanny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncanny

Adjective

But although the mysterious connections between siblings are an area ripe for exploration, Herzog doesn’t seem all that interested beyond the quirk factor, making the film seem precious rather than perceptive.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
There’s a mysterious liquid dripping from the ceiling next to the changing table.

— Zachary Pincus-Roth, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of mysterious

Adjective

For some interpreters, the gods’ superhuman forms are a sign for Hindus to acknowledge the power of these supernatural beings.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
The other problem is that hackers are exploiting AI to uncover new software vulnerabilities and infiltrate networks at a superhuman rate.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of superhuman

Adjective

That’s how Wagner found Daniel Paul, an architectural historian who researched and documented the 38-foot-tall cupola-style structure built in 1960 by Van Tassel, who ascribed it miraculous powers including antigravity, rejuvenation and time travel.

— Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Words like miraculous, inspirational, incredible, amazing and magical were just some of the adjectives heard at Friday’s event.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of miraculous

Adjective

The comment takes on a haunting resonance three months later, after Panettiere was found unresponsive on a Sunday.

— Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
The result is a haunting portrait of social collapse whose power is premised on the words and faces of survivors.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of haunting

Adjective

The piece, inspired by the 12th-century polymathic mystic Saint Hildegard of Bingen, was skin-tinglingly breathy and slow, with long tones (played by Malone and her accompanist Stephen O’Malley) that rose up and swirled around the room.

— Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Poetry of a Hindu mystic Kashmir gradually became a predominantly Muslim society after the Shah Mir dynasty came to power in the 14th century.

— Peter Dziedzic, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

Definition of mystic

Adjective

Words like miraculous, inspirational, incredible, amazing and magical were just some of the adjectives heard at Friday’s event.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Caleb the Conjurer created several magical wins for the Bears, but that late game fortune also rarely carries over into the next season.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of magical

Browse Nearby Words

uncanniness

uncanny

uncaring

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of uncanny

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes