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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 In the 2024 race, Bain ran as an independent in a circuit dominated by left-leaning Orange County, leaving him in the odd position of being viewed as the GOP governor’s candidate but appearing on the ballot without a party affiliation even as he was backed by Florida Republicans. Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025 Perhaps Frankfurt isn’t such an odd location after all. Zoë Dare Hall, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 Sure enough, the results of the hair testing show that the clump was entirely Axel’s hair, which is odd because surely some of Taylor’s hair would be in the mix, too, given their joint usage of the hot tub. Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025 That may sound odd coming from someone who’s played in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and now LA Clippers. Law Murray, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for odd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
Adjective
  • The singer-songwriter first announced the single in January 2024 with an audio excerpt posted on Instagram.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Without a single source of truth, organizations struggle to make informed decisions, manage costs or build resilience in the face of unpredictability.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • So what explains this strange little sequence by the side of the pitch?
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The unique role required a performer who could pass as young as age 7 and as old as 22 — a strange consequence of the real case that inspired the series.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Cruise cancellations are relatively unusual but can happen for a number of other reasons, including when a ship is chartered or needs to go to dry dock.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The contract also maintains its unusual provision allowing Sanders to disclose any athletically related outside income to his superiors verbally, thus enabling him to follow NCAA bylaws while ensuring that no public paper trail is created for these earnings.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 28 Mar. 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
  • Initially, MacGregor's character was supposed to make only occasional appearances, but she was promoted to series regular after her performance was so well-received.
    Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The show is thrilling as a sensory experience, humming with sinister percussive beats and the occasional muffled animal squawk in the distance.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Jordan Burks had the only double-double of the night for either team, with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Toni wasn't the only sister to pay tribute with a video.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The bizarre purchase was revealed last year by the former Lakers player, and the topic was recently brought up during the season 6 finale of The Kardashians.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Weezer has not canceled its plans to perform at Coachella this Saturday (April 12) after the wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner sustained non-life-threatening injuries during a bizarre run-in with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers that ended in a dramatic shootout.
    Dave Brooks, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In an extraordinary criticism of one state agency by another, Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation told legislators that a department led by then-Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis may have buried thousands of complaints Floridians made against property insurance companies.
    Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Here are examples of extraordinary deductions taxpayers have asked for and received from the IRS.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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