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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 TikTok users zoomed in on their television screens that night, posting clips highlighting the odd energy being directed Meester’s way. Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025 Members of Pavement take part in these events, interacting with the actors who play them, attending the exhibit with an odd and unnatural sense of nostalgic wonder, and participating in a post-screening Q. & A., moderated by the real-life film programmer Jake Perlin. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 1 May 2025 Held in the odd year after the presidential election since 1869, Virginia’s gubernatorial race is a cyclical scorecard for voters’ moods and the issues at the forefront of the national consciousness. Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025 At first glance, these pieces seem to appear odd, with crooked teeth and protruding eyeballs. Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for odd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
Adjective
  • The single leans into old-school hip-hop influences, and shows the love that both musicians have for the art form.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • But off-screen, Ramirez — who appears to be single — counts Wahlberg as one of her closest friends.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • From the window of his 46th-floor downtown office, attorney Scott Sheftall noticed a strange, solitary cloud that worried him.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025
  • Although strange, anachronistic, and exaggerated, this world still seems to reflect the same daily problems that all people endure.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Nearly a hundred shiny black calves are frolicking in the pastures, including twin bulls (birthweight of 72 pounds each) whose mother is completely unruffled by this unusual occurrence and its maternal responsibilities.
    Susan Koch, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2025
  • That’s not unusual, for people to send spritzes, but then the manager came out with a gift bag.
    Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Parrots are not an uncommon bird species — there are about 400 types of parrots that currently roam the Earth’s land and skies.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
  • Hudson will try to win a beauty pageant in her home state of Maine, and will face an uncommon opponent Hudson will be competing in the Miss Maine USA Beauty Pageant later this month after finishing as the first runner-up in last year’s contest.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • With some occasional help from the Rockies, who committed three errors and one big mental mistake, the Padres (24-13) scored in five different innings.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025
  • Goygol includes 65,000 residents, prim parks, tall pines and occasional Tyrolean architecture.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • The only part of her body that could move was her tail, which slightly wagged in anticipation of getting saved by her owner.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • Why do celebrities buy the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon? Brunson is far from the only multimillionaire or celebrity who owns a G-Wagon.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • The presentation starts with teaching the compliment sandwich technique, but quickly goes off the rails as the participants ask more bizarre questions.
    Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Heti’s writing is witty, reflective, and just bizarre enough to capture your interest even as people mill about in your peripheral vision.
    Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • The actors bring extraordinary depth and nuance to every moment.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 May 2025
  • Stone’s life meandered from extraordinary creative highs to long periods of creative inactivity marked by questionable choices, in his career and in his life.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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