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Synonym Chooser

How is the word quaint distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of quaint are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is it sensible to use eccentric instead of quaint?

The words eccentric and quaint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Where would erratic be a reasonable alternative to quaint?

While the synonyms erratic and quaint are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When might odd be a better fit than quaint?

In some situations, the words odd and quaint are roughly equivalent. However, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When could outlandish be used to replace quaint?

The synonyms outlandish and quaint are sometimes interchangeable, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

In what contexts can peculiar take the place of quaint?

Although the words peculiar and quaint have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When would singular be a good substitute for quaint?

The words singular and quaint can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When is strange a more appropriate choice than quaint?

While in some cases nearly identical to quaint, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When can unique be used instead of quaint?

The meanings of unique and quaint largely overlap; however, 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 quaint Judging by some of the bruising tackles on display, bragging rights still matter hugely, but tempers never threaten to boil over, which somehow feels fitting considering the rather quaint ‘Gentlemen — No Swearing Please’ sign hanging on the side of the dugouts. Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 The days when people lived and died by the Social Register are quaint history. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025 This house is quaint and charming and might even be your dream home. Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025 Begin in quaint Passau, the ‘City of Three Rivers’ where the holiday fair is hosted in the middle of the old town with a 17th-century cathedral as its backdrop. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for quaint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quaint
Adjective
  • Continue reading … 'THIS IS SO CRAZY' – DOGE reveals bizarre findings of unemployment insurance claims.
    FOXNews.com, FOXNews.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
Adjective
  • The nonprofit is offering a $500 reward per set for the return of the antique doors.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Among the weird things people left behind were a full sheet of uncut $2 bills, a toilet seat, silicone butt pads, a rattlesnake preserved in a jar of whiskey and an antique French guide to performing exorcisms.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The unique role required a performer who could pass as young as age 7 and as old as 22 — a strange consequence of the real case that inspired the series.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Republicans should also get over their strange allergy to cutting the capital gains tax.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The return of the beads-of-rice bracelet is another tribute to our past, blending the vintage aesthetic of our 1960s timepieces with a modern, ergonomic fit.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The categories include: onscreen wardrobe and props, luxury handbags, vintage posters, rare books, trading cards, autographs, fine and decorative arts, manuscripts, photography, animation and more.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • On her first series, the actress played the furry and funny Honk on the Kroffts’ Far Out Space Nuts, a character who spoke only in horn-like honks.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Everyone was so nervous to tell Mike what our number was, which was so funny.
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Today, the shoe’s upper combines leather and textiles, for breathability, and a wide range of color combinations that keep in line with the distinct, retro roots that are certainly trending.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The first 5,000 fans will get an inaugural game rematch pennant, and there will be retro Clash merchandise in the team stores.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
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
Adjective
  • In 2018, Russia blamed Israel for an incident in which an antiquated Syrian S-200 anti-aircraft missile destroyed a Russian military transport while targeting Israeli fighter jets, killing all 15 Russian personnel aboard.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Too many fouls, not enough freedom for creativity and an antiquated two halves format have kept him from diving in.
    C.J. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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