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as in single
being one of a pair or set without a corresponding mate somehow, there's always at least one odd sock that comes out of the dryer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word odd distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of odd are eccentric, erratic, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When can eccentric be used instead of odd?

The words eccentric and odd can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When would erratic be a good substitute for odd?

While the synonyms erratic and odd are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of odd?

In some situations, the words outlandish and odd are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is peculiar a more appropriate choice than odd?

While in some cases nearly identical to odd, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When might quaint be a better fit than odd?

Although the words quaint and odd have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to odd?

The meanings of singular and odd largely overlap; however, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can strange take the place of odd?

The words strange and odd are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When could unique be used to replace odd?

The synonyms unique and odd are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

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 odd On TikTok, people are given access to one another in an odd way that even other social media platforms didn’t. Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025 Thankfully for Clooney and his dark locks, Good Night, and Good Luck has proven one of the most successful shows on Broadway, so something is working about the haircut that doesn’t translate to the odd CNN still making the rounds on Twitter. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025 People had called, but Tommy wouldn’t answer — odd for a man Maryanne often chastised for taking too many calls at the dinner table. Kristina Goetz, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025 His best by far came off an odd-man rush where Suzuki shot to create a rebound for Cole Caufield. Omar White, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for odd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
Adjective
  • Each plane has four single suites and four side-by-side suites, two of each at the front of each business class cabin.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In this Oscar-winning documentary, filmmaker Craig Foster free-dives daily in a South African kelp forest to follow a single cephalopod over a year.
    Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • If some readers were befuddled by Mr. Holland’s strange and magical imagery, graphic artists were entranced.
    Penelope Green, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • These stores typically feature eclectic collections of oddities, collectibles, curiosities, and decorative items that appeal to collectors and enthusiasts of the strange and unique.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Although not musicians, the Goldbergs quickly realized there was something unusual about their 3-year-old boy.
    Steve Rothaus, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • For one group of six girls living in Waterloo, Canada, their lives took an unusual turn when a couple of very territorial geese decided to claim their front lawn as their own.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Addressed an issue where all horse saddles were uncommon.
    Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • To be fair, government tech projects are complicated, and overruns aren’t uncommon.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The house that the Americans strategically position themselves in is home to two families; there are occasional insert shots of family photos and trinkets, and at several points these families are shown cowering, terrified by what’s happening around them.
    Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2025
  • In general, bigleaf hydrangeas require little pruning, save for occasional shaping and thinning.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is especially true when tourism is the primary—or in some cases the only—economic driver.
    Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Beyond vaccines and immunization Even from its earliest days, vaccine-preventable and infectious diseases were far from the Epidemic Intelligence Service’s only focus.
    Casey Luc, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Continue reading … 'THIS IS SO CRAZY' – DOGE reveals bizarre findings of unemployment insurance claims.
    FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • He is rarely seen making a grand gesture or engaging in behavior that could be described as bizarre.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Harvard University President Alan Garber released an open letter today that provided an exceptional example of leadership integrity when faced with extraordinary external pressure.
    Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • This extraordinary group rallied together for a single glorious vision: to win four straight playoff games against the finest teams in college football.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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