Definition of bizarrenext
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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 This isn’t just a one-off bizarre moment. Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026 The Braves scored in the eighth on a bizarre 3-6-3 putout. ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026 There’s some really interesting, bizarre stories that are in 2000 AD for those who want to have a play. Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026 The operation primarily centered around false and often bizarre claims about grand conspiracies and government wrongdoing. Rob Wile, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bizarre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bizarre
Adjective
  • As usual, human progress gets the sublimely absurd Herzogian treatment, with modern and primordial sights and sounds becoming whole.
    Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
  • But the idea of using one for multiple hours every day, or of trying to socialize in real life while the people around me try to meet my digital avatar’s dead eyes, is absurd.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The truck had been at the head of a column of seven rescue vehicles, all of which had received clearance from the tower to cross Runway 4 at Taxiway D and head toward a United Airlines flight that was evacuating due to a strange odor onboard.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
  • On World Rhythms, Lockwood trusts the listener to hear the arc of its noises, to trace their emergence and disappearance, their strange, seductive confluence.
    Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Bringing his bag of insane tricks and witty banter to the Wilshire Ebell Theatre for two nights on May 8 and 9, Willman’s crowd work, storytelling and intricate tricks are inspired by everyday life.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Just this insane profanity-laden tirade that went on and on and on.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Some weird ground balls, a bounce over (first baseman Gavin) Sheets’ head.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Cabdrivers sometimes call it the Hinckley Hilton—a weird local homage to the shooter, John Hinckley, Jr.
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • If Florida is worried about China’s rise, dismantling educational and cultural exchanges is a foolish response.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
  • But the Stars should be trying to goad the Wild into foolish penalties.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • With it, this is just kind of an odd, unfortunate (especially for the bird) story.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Business major Andrea Lui found the chatbot’s voice to be surprisingly human, but the conversation felt choppy with odd pauses.
    Jocelyn Gecker, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Sadiq is an unreal athlete, and will instantly become an irreplaceable piece of New York’s offense.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
  • These structures look unreal in two dimensions, as if they were made mostly of air.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This would be much funnier if Rimura were, indeed, simply a slime.
    Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 1 May 2026
  • Just being more confident in my choice of what is funny and what’s not.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bizarre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bizarre. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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