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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

Examples 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 While Abang quietly guts chickens in the Pudu wet market and takes odd jobs for half the wages a legal worker would receive, Adik is seen fleeing from a raid by immigration police in a dilapidated apartment block. Richard Kuipers, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024 Now Thalberg winners get regular Oscar statuettes, an odd move that takes away some of the historical heft of the prize itself, but certainly not its worth or importance. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2024 So don’t waste your time on the bad stuff — here are the best brands to search for (and the odd nogs to avoid). Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024 The luxury sedan with the odd name is for buyers with about $80,000 (with all options) to spend and who are considering a break from status quo. James Raia, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for odd 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
Adjective
  • Investigators found evidence that multiple staff members will spray a single child, causing the child to become physically sick and immobilized.
    Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Quantity varies from a single tutorial to the 40 projects included in our best value suggestion.
    Bob Beacham, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • One day, a student noticed something strange: One of the rats in the group trained to expect positive experiences had its tail straight up with a crook at the end, resembling the handle of an old-fashioned umbrella.
    Kelly Lambert, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The result was a strange hodgepodge of a TV series — novel and interesting in hindsight, but maybe not distinct enough to inspire a spot on the DVR at the time.
    Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • There’s clearly an appetite for the unusual, however, as this F430 Spider .
    Christian Gilbertsen, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024
  • The Secret Service immediately undertook to instruct all us agents in the White House on how to deal with unusual questions the president asked us.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Workplace anxiety is not uncommon, especially in high-stress fields.
    Erik Pham, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Pest infestations after a hurricane are not uncommon, especially a few months down the road.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Azealia Banks, lightning rod and occasional oracle, is voting for Kamala Harris despite not liking her and previously supporting Trump.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Kelly was once a respected journalist at Fox News, one of the network’s occasional examples of a more fair-and-balanced news person, as opposed to the far-right musings of Sean Hannity and the like.
    Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Jack and Charles are there, seemingly as the only representatives from the season, and stalwart faithfuls Susan and Kathy are right next to them.
    Alice Burton, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The only wild bears in the San Bernardino Mountains or anywhere else in the state are black bears, according to the Fish and Wildlife Department.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • By Samantha Riedel Sarah McBride Will Officially Be the First Trans Member of U.S. Congress By Nico Lang Amid a packed schedule of eclectic, bizarre, and hilarious series on the Dropout streaming service, Very Important People has already established itself as one of the platform’s finest.
    Samantha Allen, Them, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Karin is not your typical sweet anime girl, and the narrative is bizarre, unexpected and hilarious.
    Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Furthermore, the governor’s last extraordinary session was a transparent public-relations stunt.
    Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 15 Nov. 2024
  • This extension was approved at an extraordinary general meeting held on July 18, 2024.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near odd

Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on odd

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