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Definitions

stray

[strey] / streɪ /
ADJECTIVE
abandoned, wandering
Synonyms
STRONG
homeless lost roaming roving vagrant
WEAK
devious erratic
VERB
deviate, err
Synonyms
STRONGEST
depart diverge wander
STRONG
digress divagate ramble sin
WEAK
circumlocute do wrong excurse get off the subject get off the track get sidetracked go off on a tangent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
stay
STRONG
be direct
WEAK
go direct remain
VERB
wander; get lost
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deviate drift err meander roam swerve
STRONG
gad gallivant ramble range rove straggle traipse turn
WEAK
be abandoned be lost go all over the map go amiss go astray lose one's way wander away wander off
Antonyms
STRONG
be direct
WEAK
go direct remain stay

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.

Fleas that spread typhus are commonly found on stray animals, rodents and other wildlife, according to public health officials.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

More Premier League representation this year meant more opportunity but, in reality, the outcome does not stray far from the norm.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Even the stray shots at Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos in O’Brien’s monologue and short sketches about distracted viewers who don’t want to pay proper attention had the chummy air of being all in good fun.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2026

Soon after, twitchy soldiers defending Los Angeles unleashed a barrage of antiaircraft fire at what was later suspected to be a stray weather balloon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

I wake to stray drops of water slapping my face.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer