UNCANNY Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'uncanny' distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words eerie and weird are common synonyms of uncanny . While all three words mean "mysteriously strange or fantastic," uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness. // an uncanny resemblance between total strangers

Q: In what contexts can 'eerie' take the place of 'uncanny'?

The words eerie and uncanny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eerie suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work. // an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid

Q: When would 'weird' be a good substitute for 'uncanny'?

Although the words weird and uncanny have much in common, weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress peculiarity or oddness. // weird creatures from another world

uncanny

adjective

ˌən-ˈka-nē

Definition of uncanny next

as in mysterious

being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain a number of uncanny parallels in the lives of the twins who had been separated at birth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in superhuman

being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature an uncanny gift for knowing when someone, no matter how distant, needed help

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in eerie

fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic uncanny and unexpected shadows along the mountainsides

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word uncanny distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words eerie and weird are common synonyms of uncanny. While all three words mean "mysteriously strange or fantastic," uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness.

an uncanny resemblance between total strangers

In what contexts can eerie take the place of uncanny?

The words eerie and uncanny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eerie suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work.

an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid

When would weird be a good substitute for uncanny?

Although the words weird and uncanny have much in common, weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress peculiarity or oddness.

weird creatures from another world

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 uncanny At a time when real life can be so exhausting, diving into this genre’s uncanny valley offers a special kind of reprieve. —

Laura Bradley, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024 Despite her uncanny resemblance to a young Witherspoon, Hook’s character is not somehow related to the film’s Annette Hargrove (but wouldn’t that be quite a twist?). —

Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 21 Nov. 2024 Recently on TikTok, people have been puzzling over how pop-stars achieve legs that reach almost uncanny levels of sheen. —

Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2024 For an industry rooted in the dry, analytical domains of cryptography and game theory, crypto has an uncanny ability to draw exceptional storytelling talent. —

Christian Catalini, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for uncanny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncanny

Adjective

The Wright-Patterson activity comes amid a string of mysterious drone sightings, primarily in the Northeast, that have been raising alarms among residents and local officials alike.

Brad Lendon, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Fantasia’s post was a lengthy summary of a legislative meeting with the Department of Homeland Security about the mysterious sightings.

Stephen Pastis, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024