Synonyms of curiosity

curiosity

noun

ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē 

1

as in concern

an eager desire to find out about things that are often none of one's business

our neighbor's curiosity about what we were doing last night was really offensive

Synonyms & Similar Words

• concern
• questioning
• inquisitiveness
• interest
• curiousness
• nosiness
• wonderment
• attentiveness
• inquiry
• interrogation
• interference
• prying
• intrusiveness
• regard
• officiousness
• obtrusiveness
• eavesdropping
• meddlesomeness
• rubbernecking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• disregard
• incuriosity
• apathy
• unconcern
• incuriousness
• disinterestedness

2

as in rarity

something strange or unusual that is an object of interest

the museum's curiosities include items constructed entirely out of toothpicks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rarity
• wonder
• exotic
• curio
• oddity
• marvel
• monster
• virtu
• objet d'art
• mutant
• mutation
• abnormality
• oddment
• found object
• prodigy
• anomaly
• curiosa
• ephemera
• rare bird
• freak
• rara avis
• objet trouvé
• malformation
• monstrosity

3

as in ornamental

a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest

an assortment of curiosities from around the world that the family picked up during various vacations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ornamental
• novelty
• ornament
• souvenir
• gaud
• curio
• knickknack
• gewgaw
• trinket
• bauble
• bibelot
• collectible
• tchotchke
• gimcrack
• kickshaw
• doodad
• trumpery
• trifle
• virtu
• gimcrackery
• figurine
• conversation piece
• bagatelle
• memento
• trinketry
• bric-a-brac
• keepsake
• bijouterie
• objet d'art
• collector's item

4

as in trick

an odd or peculiar habit

Charles Dickens typically endowed his characters with an array of endearing curiosities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trick
• trait
• eccentricity
• mannerism
• characteristic
• quirk
• idiosyncrasy
• habit
• peculiarity
• singularity
• oddity
• individualism
• twist
• kink
• tic
• quip
• erraticism
• attitude
• attribute
• quiddity
• affectation
• practice
• personality
• tendency
• character
• crotchet
• weirdness
• addiction
• property
• pattern
• inclination
• way
• predilection
• perversion
• airs
• neuroticism
• predisposition
• humor
• custom
• proclivity
• abnormality
• penchant
• propensity
• temperament
• individuality
• identity
• disposition
• genius
• partiality
• wont
• nature
• bent
• mark
• turn
• leaning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conformity
• sameness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of curiosity

They were found to sharply increase how long people continued to engage, but often for reasons of anger and curiosity, rather than enjoyment. — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026

His seeming lack of curiosity about what happened to Lee in San Francisco felt to me like the product of mid-century white America. — Max Gao, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026

Residents studied them with curiosity as representatives from the council, transport authorities and club alike stood on hand to explain anything that was unclear and ask for feedback. — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Kimmel asked, getting the scoop for the general public, whose curiosity about the wedding still lingers. — Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2026