Thesaurus results for QUAINT

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 This quaint European bistro offers a menu that would do any similarly modest establishment in Paris proud. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The stadium After 53 years in one of the league’s quaintest venues, the Bills are moving into a new and (maybe) improved Highmark Stadium this year. — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 28 July 2026 Here, Atkins blends bold arthouse bravado with the quaint charm of home video to create tangible proof that the hallmarks of authenticity are changing before our very eyes — in real life and onscreen. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 27 July 2026 The quaint downtown is easily walkable and peppered with shops that have been family run for generations and restaurants loved by all ages. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for quaint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quaint

Adjective

After meeting with a young, female director, who offers him the chance to play a bizarre and deeply unsympathetic character in her debut feature, Niaz leaves the audition unconvinced (and pretty offended).

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2026
Barring anything bizarre unfolding in the next few weeks, Smack will almost certainly be the Packers’ Week 1 kicker in Minnesota.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

Related Articles An antique dealer friends with Dertz later identified it as a missing Picasso that had been stolen from DeLind’s gallery in 2018; a DeLind Fine Art Appraisals sticker was still attached to the back of the frame.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Inside, antique art hangs on walls, tamgroute (local pottery) lines small alcoves, board games are stacked inside cupboards, and coffee table books have plenty to dive into.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of antique

Adjective

Twenty-four hours after moving to London from New Zealand, Lavanda wanted to go out for a cocktail but felt strange going alone.

— Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
There are a lot of on-the-road songs about travels through this strange, heartbreaking, and beautiful planet.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

The end result is Murder Bites, my funny, quirky mystery that takes place in a small town where everyone is obsessed with their tiny designer dogs.

— Mimi Montgomery, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
What is sort of funny is imagining how immersion in the city’s cultural scene fits into Vanderbilt’s broader ambitions.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

Sincerity and audacity are not opposing forces but complementary ones in this space, and for writers, retro programmers, and other film fans who came of age after midnight at the movies, Curry’s impact persists as its own kind of religion.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
The curvy wood frame and oversized door pulls give the Scandi-centric piece a bit of retro appeal without feeling dated.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of retro

Adjective

The continent is being hammered by a number of odd energy policy decisions, from closing zero-emission nuclear plants or shutting down natural gas facilities.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
The odd part is that all of this spending, hiring and firing is happening around a target every major AI lab defines differently.

— Jemma Green, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of odd

Adjective

Additionally, interviews and encounters with the slain officers’ family members also illustrate the cost and harm of a job that was formed in the early 19th century and remains antiquated and unchanged in our 21st-century world.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
Today, satellite television barely exists — even cable is antiquated.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of antiquated

Browse Nearby Words

quails

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quais

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“Quaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quaint. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of quaint

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