HEAD CASE Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

head case

noun

Definition of head case

as in character

a person of odd or whimsical habits an area of scientific research that's a good niche for social misfits and hard-core head cases

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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 head case My question is, with what AB did to the Raiders, Why would Gruden/Mayock want to take another head case like Jalen Ramsey? — Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2019 Whiteside has a reputation of being a bit of a head case, and also, in need of motivation. — oregonlive.com, 1 July 2019 Here’s a toast to both of them, performing in such relevant games after being written off as hopeless head cases earlier in their careers. — Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 May 2018 Grant Goodrich of Cleveland, who heads Case Western Reserve University's Great Lakes Energy Institute, collected $72,192 in the quarter, spent $28,273 and had $48,919 in the bank. — Sabrina Eaton, cleveland.com, 16 Apr. 2018 Then again, the finale may just add to the mystery, and turn not just a few, but every single character into a head case tortured by strange, traumatic visions and memories. — Kristi Turnquist, OregonLive.com, 12 Apr. 2018 Neither of the Aboutaam brothers has been charged with any wrongdoing related to any of these investigations or to the bull’s head case. — Georgi Kantchev, WSJ, 27 Sep. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for head case

Noun

However, the irregular architecture, surviving wooden beams, and 15th-century chapel lend certain spaces genuine local character.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
Those scenes play as if the screenwriters gave up on trying to resolve the twisty plot, instead just making their characters tell all, leaving the film’s denouement much less engrossing than its setup.

— Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of character

Noun

The public reckonings with these figures’ legacies—the troubled former child star gone too soon, the beloved icon, the cult favorite, the complicated eccentric—have come in a cascade.

— Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Make sure to practice a full range of motion with these and emphasize the eccentric (the way down) part of the movement for maximal time under tension and muscle-building stimulus.

— Jakob Roze, HEALTH, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of eccentric

Noun

Al Marri suggested in her announcement that the new festival will not be in exactly the same vein as the original, which was known for its glitzy red carpets, industry events, and openness to films pushing the social and political envelope.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
In his new role Earley will lead strategic development for Disney Entertainment’s TV franchises, as well as content and production for international originals, production, labor relations and creative talent development.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of original

Noun

While Annie seemed like the odd duck out, her closest, idol-holding ally Alex seemed to be considering Sophi as his target, with the goal of taking out his bromance Jake’s other bestie.

— Nick Caruso, TVLine, 2 Oct. 2025
The Incredible Hulk' (2008) Before ultimately being replaced in other movies by Mark Ruffalo, Edward Norton starred as scientist Bruce Banner in this odd duck from the nascent MCU.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 July 2025

Definition of odd duck

Noun

The engine features a flat-plane crank that Mercedes-Benz AMG said reduces rotating mass and improves revving characteristics.

— Joel Feder, The Drive, 10 Sep. 2026
In the ever more precarious world of academia, the neck of the principled luddite crank might be particularly attractive when institutions swing the axe in the next round of layoffs.

— Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of crank

Noun

For his latest fashion comeback, Van Assche returned to his historic Belgian production partner Gysemans BVBA, though his new collection is realized with only deadstock fabrics, meaning smaller quantities and a sense of rarity.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Whittingham suggested Michigan might have leaned too heavily on the rhino against Western Michigan, but that position is going to be a staple of Beck’s offense, meaning targets for tight ends might be more of a rarity.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026