STRAYING Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

straying

verb

present participle of stray

as in wandering

to commit an offense our straying son swears he's returned to the straight and narrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 straying You’d be forgiven for not straying greatly from the Four Seasons. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026 But the story straying from the typical clichés made the role stand out, Marsh says. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 The sheep were straying from the road, veering through the front yards of homeowners who weren’t in the grazing program. — Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026 At 31, his playing career appears to be finished, or certainly straying dangerously close to that position. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 The clock is ticking, not just because Gideon may be straying further from the light, but because Kylie is unknowingly tampering with dark forces to save him. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026 Even in the most pluralistic society, straying from the prevailing orthodoxy (or heterodoxy, as the case may be) can land you in trouble. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026 For readers already burned out on pumpkin spice, these releases offer a way to try something new without straying far from the coffee-shop menus that define the season. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 In an affidavit cited by the Dallas Morning News last month, Howard said Wirskye considered the agreement breached after Howard mentioned during opening statements that Anthony was in the chess club, straying beyond the events under the tent. — Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straying

Verb

In addition to wandering through the patch and harvesting prized pumpkins, there are many activities at Pumpkin Palooza to keep you and your family entertained.

— Hali Smith October 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026
Couple and family getaways, wedding guests, anyone could be wandering along the paths.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of wandering

Verb

Israel wages war on childhood because a Palestinian child at play is already trespassing upon the future Israel has reserved for itself.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
The Tohono O’odham Nation said that even if construction were contained to the Roosevelt Reservation, driving onto tribal land to access the area still constitutes trespassing.

— Mikella Schuettler, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of trespassing

Verb

People have moved so aggressively along the learning curve that those challenges are falling by the wayside.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Paired with an all-leather ensemble, pants and pointed-toe pumps included, the hair screamed ’80s rom-com star, the curls falling toward her face in a single swift motion.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026