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.

Last year, students in Eerie Count, N.Y. launched the organization Students Protecting Education after showing up to their own school board meetings to fight the bans.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2023

Eerie footage shows the view from space as Hurricane Idalia moved in and made landfall in Florida.

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2023

Eerie County Executive spokesman Peter Anderson said Ms. Ayers had worked for the county for eight years before being terminated.

From Washington Times • Jun. 4, 2022

Eerie chords ring out, as though warning viewers: This is not your “Real Housewives of Orange County.”

From Seattle Times • May 29, 2022

Eerie, yet oddly comforting, knowing he’s got some semblance to my brother BSS—Before Saint Sarah.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

eerie

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Vocabulary lists containing eerie

The Grim Reader: Wicked Words of Grave Importance for Halloween

Uncanny, Creepy, or Downright Scary: Words For Halloween

NAEP Test Words

eerie

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing eerie

The Grim Reader: Wicked Words of Grave Importance for Halloween

Uncanny, Creepy, or Downright Scary: Words For Halloween

NAEP Test Words