misfit

noun

mis·fit | \ˈmis-ˌfit

also ˌmis-ˈfit

Definition of misfit

1 : something that fits badly

2 : a person who is poorly adapted to a situation or environment social misfits

Examples of misfit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In time, he might be remembered not just as the heir to Ludwig Wittgenstein and J.L. Austin, but part of the American tradition of daring misfits, the line of Thoreau, Emerson, Emily Dickinson, Marianne Moore, and Wallace Stevens. — Jeet Heer, The New Republic, "Stanley Cavell was a philosopher with style.," 20 June 2018 The role of family in terrorism It is commonly assumed that those who join extremist groups are struggling with personal crises or are misfits, drifters or disaffected loners. — Julie Chernov Hwang, Washington Post, "New research shows why terrorists quit terrorism," 12 July 2018 This gang of misfits has become an average ballclub. — Jack Dickey, SI.com, "Midseason Report Card: Red Sox, Yankees Continue to Control the AL East," 29 June 2018 His colleagues are annoying misfits, described by their quirks, like the fastidious Fredrik Melander, who has a photographic memory, passionately loves his ugly wife, and spends too much time on the toilet. — Alice Bolin, Longreads, "The Daughter as Detective," 26 June 2018 Phoenix has more scowling misfits up his sleeve than any other actor working today. — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "Review: Joaquin Phoenix stars in the captivating addiction drama 'Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot'," 12 July 2018 The list of famous middle children includes figures as diverse as Warren Buffett and Jennifer Lopez, but for the most part, middles are reliably cast in the culture as oddballs, outcasts, and misfits. — Adam Sternbergh, The Cut, "The Extinction of the Middle Child," 11 July 2018 On the evening of October 1, 2017, a misfit and gambler named Stephen Paddock walked to the window of room 32135 on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "What Changed After the Vegas Shooting? Nothing.," 19 Feb. 2018 Thus the image of my misfit soul, batted back and forth between the forces of good and evil. — Sara Eckel, Longreads, "The Hole in My Soul," 1 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'misfit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.