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Definitions

eerie

[eer-ee] / ˈɪər i /
ADJECTIVE
spooky
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bizarre creepy eldritch fantastic frightening ghostly mysterious scary strange supernatural uncanny weird
STRONG
awesome
WEAK
spectral unearthly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
common earthly familiar natural normal regular usual
WEAK
ordinary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for eerie?
Probably the closest synonym for eerie is spooky. These words are usually used to describe an atmosphere or place that’s scary in a subtle way—not due to obvious danger but rather to a perceived uncanny quality that’s perhaps supernatural and sinister (evil). A classic example of a place described as eerie is a haunted house. Similar words include creepy, chilling, foreboding, menacing, and ominous. These all suggest a frightening quality, but, unlike eerie and spooky, don’t imply that there is anything otherworldly about it. You can describe an eerie place as giving you the creeps, creeping you out, or inspiring a sense of dread.  Sometimes the best way to indicate that a place is eerie is to show instead of tell: when describing it, instead of using the word eerie, describe the things that actually make it eerie, like the strange sounds coming from the attic and the painting of a girl whose eyes seem to follow you around the room.
What is another word for eerie silence?
An eerie silence is a silence that seems too quiet—one that suggests something bad is going to happen. An eerie silence isn’t necessarily entirely silent—the breeze might be blowing in the background, for example—but it is lacking some of the sounds you might expect to hear normally. A forest without any birds singing (at a time when they normally would be) might be described as eerily silent. Words to describe an eerie silence include strange and unnatural.
What is the opposite (antonym) of eerie?
Eerie describes things that are subtly frightening due to seeming strange or unnatural. The opposite of an eerie atmosphere is one that’s familiar or ordinary in a way that’s comforting, welcoming, calming, or reassuring.
Is it eerie or eery?
It can be spelled either way, but eerie is much more common.
How do you use eerie in a sentence?
Eerie is used to suggest unnaturalness and creepiness. Here are some examples of eerie in a sentence:
  • The house was so eerie once we’d moved all our stuff out—like it was a different place altogether. 
  • At dawn, there was an eerie silence over the lake, and the strange mist made it even eerier. 
  • Walking among the mannequins in the abandoned department was too eerie for me.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With an eye for eerie detail, Burke balances the tightly-wound mystery with cinematic descriptions of homesteading life and the occasional moment of beauty as Natalie’s resistance is tested.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

At first, the feeling was eerie; the cameras peered into a city with dimmed lights, shrouded in silence.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

The facts in the Gray case bear an eerie similarity to the Crumbleys’.

From Slate • Mar. 5, 2026

"This is Mexico after all - usually there'd be music, people outside, people enjoying life, and there's a really, kind of eerie, feeling in the air here," he added.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

That’s how I pictured her home: decorated with skeletons and bats and eerie jack-o’-lanterns all year long.

From "The World According to Humphrey" by Betty G. Birney

Vocabulary lists containing eerie

The Grim Reader: Wicked Words of Grave Importance for Halloween

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Uncanny, Creepy, or Downright Scary: Words For Halloween

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

NAEP Test Words

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!