Strange as ever, that is (5)
I believe the answer is:
eerie
'strange' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'ever that is' is the wordplay.
'ever' becomes 'eer' (synonyms).
'that is' becomes 'ie' (synonyms).
'eer'+'ie'='EERIE'
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for eerie that I've seen before include "Spooky, supernatural" , "Spectral" , "Ghostly" , "Weird, uncanny" , "Strange and disturbing" .)