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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 One needs only to cast their mind back to November’s win over Manchester United for Everton’s other bizarre red card. Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026 Whenever the president floated some bizarre policy idea, issued a new threat, or told a brazen lie about the state of the economy, Hassett would be one of the first people on cable news justifying it. Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026 In some ways, that seems very good; a bizarre fixation on ratings as an indicator of Hollywood robustness can be done away with forever. Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026 The play itself is a bizarre experiment in Housewifery. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bizarre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bizarre
Adjective
  • After the first Roundtable, Survivor stalwart Rob Cesternino — perhaps clued in by Candiace’s absurd conga line ploy to get people out of the kitchen — sniffed out that a murder in plain sight could be happening.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Contrary to what many may think, the researchers found no correlation between a person’s level of education and their capacity to believe in absurd conspiracies.
    Joe Wilkins Published Jan 8, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The sounds had become a strange new normal for the diverse Central neighborhood.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
  • And there was a strange preoccupation with running out of time, even though the show ended a good 15 minutes early as if the performers didn’t understand their own timeline.
    Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Or why roads and other critical infrastructure projects now take untold years and insane amounts of money to complete, and by the time they are finally opened are already rendered all but obsolete?
    Lee Steinhauer, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
  • In this abjectly insane political environment that Minnesotans have created for themselves, the federal agent has about as much chance of a fair trial as the Vikings have of winning this year’s Super Bowl, which is to say, none.
    David Marcus, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The then-unknown Michael Shannon, whose early career roles in Chicago were every bit as weird as this play, starred in that production.
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • But this year, due to weird scheduling, the BAFTA nods will come out on January 27, after the Oscar nominations.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • To do a lot less foolish, thoughtless, stupid, idiotic things.
    Gwen Faulkenberry, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
  • No one should be defending activists who engage in the most foolish and dangerous actions!
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Toronto netminder Dennis Hildeby stoned Trevor Zegras on a breakaway, and later made consecutive saves on Matvei Michkov and Sean Couturier to spring the odd-man rush that led to Cowan's goal.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The details of Cooper’s crime seemed too tempting to McNally, a high school dropout turned military-airplane electrician who’d pursued odd jobs and scams since being discharged.
    Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Finally standing in front of each other, sharing our vows with our closest family and friends, felt unreal.
    Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The final form of the Mind Flayer, that crazy big Lovecraftian thing, looks unreal.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • To the contrary, though the film is frequently funny, Brewer takes their ambitions and reversals seriously.
    Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Hockey is a funny game sometimes.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bizarre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bizarre. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on bizarre

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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