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eccentric

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word eccentric distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of eccentric are erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When is erratic a more appropriate choice than eccentric?

While the synonyms erratic and eccentric 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 odd instead of eccentric?

While in some cases nearly identical to eccentric, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

Where would outlandish be a reasonable alternative to eccentric?

Although the words outlandish and eccentric have much in common, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When could peculiar be used to replace eccentric?

The meanings of peculiar and eccentric largely overlap; however, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

In what contexts can quaint take the place of eccentric?

In some situations, the words quaint and eccentric are roughly equivalent. However, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When can singular be used instead of eccentric?

The words singular and eccentric can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When would strange be a good substitute for eccentric?

The words strange and eccentric 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 might unique be a better fit than eccentric?

The synonyms unique and eccentric 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 eccentric
Adjective
Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva Carroll writes with the same playful cadence and eccentric flair that defines her voice, which is undeniably that of a decades-long Elle columnist. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025 Gerald and his wife Beth were liberal Democrats who kept a circle of eccentric artist friends. Literary Hub, 12 June 2025
Noun
Robert Redford delivers folksy wisdom as a local eccentric who once had his own dragon encounter, and even Karl Urban’s greedy logger is more of a nuisance than an outright villain. Josh Bell, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025 Attracting talent for greater innovation hazards acquiring a few eccentrics whose gifts come wrapped in controversial packaging. Chip Bell, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eccentric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eccentric
Adjective
  • While most players at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship are battling the Texas heat, slow play, and a demanding Fields Ranch East layout, Leona Maguire is dealing with something far more bizarre—tick bites!
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • And frankly that bizarre idea makes the PEN Charter incoherent too.
    Kamila Shamsie June 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Our challenge is to ensure each generation has the opportunity to engage with our stories, characters and life lessons.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 June 2025
  • But to see it in a character so young is sort of heartbreaking.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Dominican Republic had a moment of its own to celebrate in the 51st minute, though its first-ever Gold Cup goal came in strange circumstances.
    Jon Arnold, New York Times, 15 June 2025
  • New York seems to be working with the impression that Kidd won't be available, but stranger things have happened before.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • The lone oddball counter-example was a wild-card Marlins squad that hired a 72-year-old manager at midseason, got hot behind a few stars (Ivan Rodriguez, Josh Beckett, Dontrelle Willis) and benefited from a historic Cubs meltdown to reach the Fall Classic.
    Neil Paine, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • Where to watch: Max 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' The feel-good British dramedy stars Tom Basden as one half of a formerly famous folk duo hired by an oddball lottery winner (Tim Key) to play a private show on his remote Welsh island.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Target jokes stopped being funny when, in 2023, right-wing social-media attacks on its Pride collection got so bad that the company pulled some of the items from its stores, citing threats to employees.
    Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
  • Much like his character, Boyce is mild-mannered, kind and effortlessly funny.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • A number of features have made their way over from the original into the 2.0.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 June 2025
  • Sitting at the cafeteria tables with the chairs from the original.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • More Getty Images Adam Scott's weird practice round revealed As Scott prepares for the final showdown, a viral video has added much more interest in his golf swing.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • Plus there are the weird noises coming from a locked backroom upstairs.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • Danan has crafted a loving ode to every weirdo or outsider who made a TV show (or other pop culture franchise) their entire personality.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 19 May 2025
  • An exclusive group of evolutionary weirdos Only a handful of organisms are known to form collective assemblages for the purpose of dispersing, similar to the nematode towers.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Eccentric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eccentric. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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