outlandish

adjective

ˌau̇t-ˈlan-dish How to pronounce outlandish (audio)
Definition of outlandishnext
1
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
2
as in romantic
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 When Trump is outlandish, Thune often recasts the President’s words and deeds in benign terms. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025 From behind the main building that overlooks the Pacific came an outlandish cacophony. —Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025 Ocean carriers have instead continued to divert ships away from the Red Sea in favor of the Cape of Good Hope, and have maintained the longer transit times that buoyed freight rates in 2024 and helped the firms generate outlandish profits. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2025 That’s number two to take the plunge for the outlandish 2019 theft of a golden toilet that was being displayed in Winston Churchill's birthplace. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outlandish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlandish
  1. bizarre
  2. romantic
  3. strange
  4. exotic
  5. funny
  6. weird
  7. colorful
  8. odd
Adjective
  • The bizarre purchase was revealed last year by the former Lakers player, and the topic was recently brought up during the season 6 finale of The Kardashians.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Weezer has not canceled its plans to perform at Coachella this Saturday (April 12) after the wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner sustained non-life-threatening injuries during a bizarre run-in with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers that ended in a dramatic shootout.
    — Dave Brooks, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • Sports events, issues with your kids and romantic matters also might surprise you.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025
  • There's something romantic about the sight of flowers languidly cascading over the sides of pots.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of romantic
Adjective
  • Based on the wildly popular video game, the fantasy comedy film (now in theaters) is a deeply strange fever dream that also gets a few genuine laughs.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
  • To make the picture even stranger, the backseat door of the car is open and another backseat passenger’s leg is just barely visible.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Throughout the video, recurring images of exotic flowers interrupt long stretches of darkness.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The driver of the exotic sports car fled the scene and is still outstanding.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of exotic
Adjective
  • Everyone was so nervous to tell Mike what our number was, which was so funny.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Welcome to My Blue Sky is twice as great — totally brash, always loud, always effusive, and usually funny even when their lives are falling apart, which is constantly.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • The whole thing, from the player’s point of view, must be deeply weird.
    — Rory Smith, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
  • There’s a weird, unexplained detail where the doctors sometimes wear white lab coats over their scrubs, then take them off to do procedures, and then put them back on.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • Nicholas Galitzine rocked a very buff physique training to be He-Man, and director Travis Knight showcased many of the colorful heroes and villains, including Jared Leto as the evil Skeletor.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The frame’s branches keep it rustic, but the plethora of colorful gerber daisies and ferns at the base add brightness.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of colorful
Adjective
  • Cannes has been known to pull off the odd spectacular stunt too.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There are extravagant rock concerts, evil giant babies, fiery demons, and of course, the odd robot as well.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of odd

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outlanders
outlandish
outlands
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Cite this Entry

“Outlandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlandish. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of outlandish for Spanish Speakers

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