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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 Plus, the odd backdrop to this year’s event is the fact that the highest-profile media transactions lately have involved entities splitting up. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 July 2025 Juve haven’t looked genuine title contenders in Italy for half a decade, and the current side is a mismatch of talented youth and odd signings. Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 The odd creature turned out to be a new species of dragon millipede, according to a study published June 25 in the journal Invertebrate Systematics. Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025 A number of senators and representatives — even including the odd Republican — are now calling Trump’s strikes unconstitutional. Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for odd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
Adjective
  • Buckley’s single reenters the Hot Rock Songs list at No. 16, a new all-time peak, and nearly matches its best showing on the other ranking, missing its No. 22 high point by one slot in just its second turn on that roster.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • All proceeds of the single will benefit the National Museum of African American Music.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • That same day, the AI chatbot Grok, which is controlled by Musk’s xAI, kicked off its own strange Epstein tirade.
    John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • Whether by design or chance, the selflessness helped compensate for a strange approach that impacted his singing for roughly half the show.
    Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Summer storms cause travel headaches every year, but these numbers are not unusual.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • Their target area was unusual, though: a strip of lawn between the road and a fence bordering Interstate 65, where homeless people have set up about two dozen tents over the first half of this year.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Now, several weeks of free rent are not uncommon, along with gift cards and other specials to entice renters.
    Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Spotty cell service or none at all is not uncommon in parts of Kerr County, northwest of San Antonio.
    Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Ozzy also did his own occasional tours, including a stop at the Bradley Center on Dec. 14 of that year.
    Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025
  • Here, the car continues to be well-mannered, though the occasional dab for power triggers an overeager automatic into dropping a gear or two, sending the V12 into a fury.
    Alex Kalogiannis, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Macworld claims six colors are coming — again, this is one more than is usual and the only time there have been six was also 2022 when the iPhone 13 series added a green version.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Benetti was far from the only person in the sports world to poke fun at the moment.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Sony and Microsoft and the PC world can keep playing the cutting-edge hardware competition while Nintendo luxuriates in its bizarre boutique silo, unbothered, moisturized, in its lane, consistently content with winning its own solo race.
    Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • The pair then embark on a harrowing adventure, with Luke slowly turning into the most bizarre father figure ever.
    Elliott Smith, EW.com, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • The path to extraordinary results starts with recognizing what already comes naturally to you.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Getty Images/Warren Little The World No. 1 will have the extraordinary chance to complete it on his 30th birthday, as his birthday, June 21, coincides with the final round of next year's US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

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