BIZARRE Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bizarre

adjective

bə-ˈzär

Definition of bizarre next

as in absurd

conceived or made without regard for reason or reality a bizarre invention that no one could figure out how to use

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strange

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion he gave a bizarre excuse for getting home so late

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Examples 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 Venom has thrived without his iconic adversary, Spider-Man, and much of his success can be attributed to Tom Hardy, who gave an incredible, bizarre performance as Eddie Brock, and a memorable voice for Venom. —

Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 Hammer’s talent agency, WME, drops him. March 11, 2021: Vanity Fair publishes a bizarre bombshell article on the Hammer family, outlining Hammer’s upbringing in the Cayman Islands and revealing multiple disturbing details about his relatives. —

Lydia Wang, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 Physicists debated for decades (opens a new tab) whether this bizarre superfluid-solid hybrid could exist. —

Quanta Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024 When her favorite author from childhood reemerges with a new book and a chance to win the only existing copy, Lucy sets out to win this bizarre competition filled with riddles and games. —

The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bizarre

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bizarre

Adjective

After lightly chiding these gents for two movies, director Michael Winterbottom finally takes the knives out and begins to punish them, a decision that results in two late scenes that border on sociopathic and culminates in an unimaginably absurd ending that refuses to let Coogan off the hook.

David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
To envision European unity without the United States—as the authors attempt to do—is therefore absurd. SOCIAL CONSTRUCTS O’Brien and Stringer try to address, in a practical way, the hard security questions Europe would face if abandoned by Washington.

Sumantra Maitra, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024