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 Season two, which will again be set in the quaint Maine town of Founder’s Cove, will also consist of six, hour-long episodes and go into production later this year. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 28 May 2026 Town governments in the typically quaint suburbs of Foxboro and the surrounding area have hard regulations on short-term rentals, with most communities requiring properties to be rented out for at least 12 months. — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026 For gardens with an olde California vibe, wander the grounds at Filoli, the grand estate in Woodside, then maybe drive over Highway 92 to Half Moon Bay for the quaintest, sea-shanty-ist spot on the coast. — David Hochman, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026 In addition to Molina, the show stars Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, Alfre Woodard and Bill Pullman as residents in the retirement community, The Boroughs, where unexplained things begin to threaten their quaint way of life. — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for quaint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quaint

Adjective

When this place is eventually gone — a phrase that feels truly bizarre given the environment this summer and the half-century preceding it — the lasting images will be the seas of red.

— Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Continue reading … 'DEEPLY WEIRD' — CNN panel's bizarre 'read as Jewish' comment about a senator draws fierce blowback.

— , FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

The event attracts over 60,000 spectators and showcases floats, marching bands, equestrians, dance groups, antique cars and community organizations.

— Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
Quince Lightweight Coverlets For a vintage vibe, pick up this coverlet that has a channel stitch reminiscent of antique quilts.

— Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Definition of antique

Adjective

Jewelry, including earrings, rings, and a watch, was by Bulgari, with Trussardi sunglasses and a vintage Chanel handbag sourced from celebrity fave sourcer and vintage dealer Fashionphile.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 July 2026
The lobby’s retro Sweet N’ Glow Salon’s color scheme is as pink as a packet of Sweet N’ Low sugar substitute, complete with beehive hair dryers, vintage magazines, and a kitschy wig collection.

— Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Definition of vintage

Adjective

From bold color contrast to sheer layering and retro prints, caftans can be styled far beyond a basic beach coverup.

— Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 2 July 2026
The Eastport patio umbrella is Serena & Lily’s interpretation of a retro silhouette adapted to fit a coastal aesthetic.

— Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2026

Definition of retro

Adjective

By wrapping antiquated infrastructure in agentic interfaces, these workers can unlock near-native operational efficiency without a risky, catastrophic core system overhaul.

— Barney Krishnan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
But what, exactly, is that robot doing watching fireworks next to a little boy and a man in antiquated garb?

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of antiquated

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quails

quaint

quais

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“Quaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quaint. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of quaint

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