as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
stray sightings of UFO's, none of which have been rigorously analyzed by scientists
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to trespass
to commit an offense
our straying son swears he's returned to the straight and narrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of stray
Tony Jones, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
The men bringing the food and the ones eating it all seem to me like stray cats, surviving on the scraps of our modern dispossession.
—Rachel Kushner, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
Classic Curls Not one to stray from what works, Marilyn Monroe wears her bridal bombshell blonde chop pinned up into classically romantic curls, her coif covered with a chin-length wedding veil.
16.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stray 
Adjective
Embiid suffered a sinus fracture in his face after taking a stray elbow Friday night.
—Tony Jones, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
The men bringing the food and the ones eating it all seem to me like stray cats, surviving on the scraps of our modern dispossession.
—Rachel Kushner, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
The new study, however, strays from the idea of entirely uniform expansion.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
Classic Curls Not one to stray from what works, Marilyn Monroe wears her bridal bombshell blonde chop pinned up into classically romantic curls, her coif covered with a chin-length wedding veil.
16.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stray
Adjective
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One random knock at the door in 2006 would lead to their house becoming part of television history.Gil Macias, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
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Scattering can also cause a random brightening/dimming of different areas of the spectrum, called scintillation, and somewhat analogous to the twinkling of stars caused by our atmosphere.John Timmer, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In January Mangione pleaded no contest to trespassing at Nu’uanu Pali Lookout, a public park in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and paid a $100 fine.Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 14 Dec. 2024
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Li was arrested the next day for allegedly trespassing at Mar-a-Lago.Louis Casiano, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
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After years of wandering through the desert, Texas finally got this right.Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
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Visitors are invited to park their cars and wander up the driveway to see cartoon characters and creatures heralding festive cheer.Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The outcomes can feel especially arbitrary when everyone is telling more or less the same story.Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
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Pay special attention to changing policies or franchises imposing additional fees that seem arbitrary or exploitative.Michael McFall, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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On Friday, the stock fell almost 18% after the Danish pharmaceutical giant’s experimental weight loss drug known as CagriSema reported disappointing results in a late-stage trial.Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
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Total passenger car sales in Thailand fell 23% through September compared to the same period last year.Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near stray
Cite this Entry
“Stray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stray. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
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