QUAINT Synonyms: 194 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of quaint are eccentric , erratic , odd , outlandish , peculiar , singular , strange , and unique . While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. // a quaint fishing village

Q: When is it sensible to use 'eccentric' instead of 'quaint'?

The words eccentric and quaint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. // the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Q: Where would 'erratic' be a reasonable alternative to 'quaint'?

While the synonyms erratic and quaint are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. // a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Q: When might 'odd' be a better fit than 'quaint'?

In some situations, the words odd and quaint are roughly equivalent. However, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. // an odd sense of humor

Q: When could 'outlandish' be used to replace 'quaint'?

The synonyms outlandish and quaint are sometimes interchangeable, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. // outlandish fashions of the time

Q: In what contexts can 'peculiar' take the place of 'quaint'?

Although the words peculiar and quaint have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. // the peculiar status of America's first lady

Q: When would 'singular' be a good substitute for 'quaint'?

The words singular and quaint can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. // a singular feeling of impending disaster

Q: When is 'strange' a more appropriate choice than 'quaint'?

While in some cases nearly identical to quaint , strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable. // a journey filled with strange sights

Q: When can 'unique' be used instead of 'quaint'?

The meanings of unique and quaint largely overlap; however, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. // a career unique in the annals of science

quaint

adjective

ˈkwānt

Definition of quaint

as in bizarre

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion the sudden appearance of a man dressed in quaint clothes immediately drew the notice of passersby

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in antique

pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time a quaint general store on one of the back roads of Vermont

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word quaint distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of quaint are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is it sensible to use eccentric instead of quaint?

The words eccentric and quaint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Where would erratic be a reasonable alternative to quaint?

While the synonyms erratic and quaint are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When might odd be a better fit than quaint?

In some situations, the words odd and quaint are roughly equivalent. However, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When could outlandish be used to replace quaint?

The synonyms outlandish and quaint are sometimes interchangeable, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

In what contexts can peculiar take the place of quaint?

Although the words peculiar and quaint have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When would singular be a good substitute for quaint?

The words singular and quaint can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When is strange a more appropriate choice than quaint?

While in some cases nearly identical to quaint, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When can unique be used instead of quaint?

The meanings of unique and quaint largely overlap; however, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

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 quaint But back in 2010, the block was relatively quaint, and the lot held a two-story, 2,599-square-foot rectory for priests. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 15 Sep. 2026 But fantasy sports, an almost quaint precursor to the instantaneous forms of gambling proliferating now, remains hugely prevalent. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 Due to the business’s small, quaint space, reservations are mandatory. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026 And Marni's prints, with the quaint charm of twenties wallpaper designs—or, this season, fifties-homemaker china patterns—have become instant collectibles. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quaint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quaint

Adjective

The cookie shops have a rotating menu of cookies with elaborate toppings, sometimes offering bizarre flavors such as everything bagel.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Skerritt co-starred opposite Kathy Baker, playing his doctor wife in the community of Rome, Wisconsin, a place with bizarre happenings, like having a robber leaving a trail of frogs or the pope becoming the primary witness to a murder.

— CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

After Orson’s reading from the novel, the broadcast cuts in on a weather report that is then followed by a dance music concert, but the smooth tango music is interrupted by breaking news of strange explosions on Mars.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
However, a strange light phenomenon and the arrival of her physicist ex-husband pull her back into the scientific world.

— Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

Their brothers all wore vintage floral brooches the couple collected for the wedding day.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
The couple recently revamped their living room and kitchen, adding details like crown moldings, vintage lighting and custom banquette seating, which cost approximately $12,000.

— Sophie Caldwell,Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of vintage

Adjective

As the country hurtles toward a pivotal but divisive election, Netflix has done us all a favor by dropping four documentaries about really funny people this month.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
New York is getting roasted for an awkward giveaway T-shirt gaffe, made funnier by the team proudly posting the evidence on social media.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

The Mister Mort x Tip Top Shoes x Mephisto Match takes inspiration from retro hiking boots, decking out the low-top walking sneaker in materials often found on mountaineering shoes.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
The Atlanta Falcons received backlash — and some jokes — after revealing a retro team symbol that some say resembles Nazi imagery.

— Josephine Murphy, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of retro

Adjective

Those visual gags feel like an odd fit for the material; Ishiguro is known more for low-grade existential sadness than slapstick.

— Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
McKee has had a bit of an odd season starting from training camp when the Eagles brought in veteran Andy Dalton to challenge for the backup job.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of odd

Adjective

According to firefighters, the department’s flood response was also limited by an antiquated dispatch system.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Plaintiffs challenging the prohibition on home distilling claim the 1868 law is an antiquated relic of Reconstruction-era politics.

— Michael Kunzelman, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of antiquated

Browse Nearby Words

quails

quaint

quais

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“Quaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quaint. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of quaint

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