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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 Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are discovered across the planet. Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025 Also odd is that in some locations Amazon One is being used for age verification. Roger Dooley, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 Unfortunately, my balcony has been an underutilized area due to the odd shape and small size, but that hasn’t deterred me from wanting to find a seating arrangement that works well for my needs and space. Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025 Following a roughly nine-month lull, there have been 22 reports of the odd spinning behavior involving sawfish in waters around the Florida Keys since December, the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported. Curt Anderson, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for odd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
Adjective
  • Murray’s collection of Junos includes back-to-back awards for both album of the year and single of the year for 1980-81.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Rock’s talent includes shooting down German fighter planes with a single submachine gun and tossing grenades with great accuracy.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Sure, the plot’s kind of a mess, but warrior Alice is an empowering turn while Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter’s big-headed Red Queen are splendidly strange.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The movie business and the television business are strange.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Network security also gets a significant upgrade with the help of AI. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) powered by AI monitor traffic in real time, can flag unusual patterns that might indicate a security breach.
    Kathleen Walch, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • As a result, Canadians have rejected American imports and issued other economic punishments in an unusual show of patriotism.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Tornadoes were not uncommon at the time, as Missouri is often considered part of an area of the U.S. nicknamed Tornado Alley.
    Alex Gurley, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • But, while the results might have given internet viewers a shock, these types of ultrasound pictures aren't uncommon.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Even their occasional technical difficulties resolved into exhilarating feedback storms.
    Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Winds will increase during the afternoon hours, with occasional gusts to around 15 to 20 mph.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, the only Texas stops will also be the tour’s final two shows in The Woodlands and Austin.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2025
  • First, the experts examined the domestic revenue generated by each film—this was the only information available for all works studied.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The esoteric will never sit completely comfortably in the mainstream, because that’s the point of it: to be unusual, bizarre, absurd.
    Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The Big Read The Story Of Climate-Friendly Digital Bank Aspiration Just Got Stranger The fintech industry has seen its fair share of spectacular failures and bizarre plot twists in recent years.
    Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike many younger trees, this tree exhibits extraordinary adaptations.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Barry has had an extraordinary coaching journey, considering his playing experiences took him no higher than League One, the English game’s third division.
    Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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