CROTCHET Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'crotchet' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of crotchet are caprice , vagary , and whim . While all these words mean "an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire," crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference. // a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

Q: When would 'caprice' be a good substitute for 'crotchet'?

The words caprice and crotchet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness. // by sheer caprice she quit her job

Q: When is 'vagary' a more appropriate choice than 'crotchet'?

In some situations, the words vagary and crotchet are roughly equivalent. However, vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire. // he had been prone to strange vagaries

Q: Where would 'whim' be a reasonable alternative to 'crotchet'?

While the synonyms whim and crotchet are close in meaning, whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination. // an odd antique that was bought on a whim

crotchet

noun

ˈkrä-chət

Definition of crotchet

as in trick

an odd or peculiar habit her one crotchet is a fondness for eating cookies while soaking in the tub

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How is the word crotchet distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of crotchet are caprice, vagary, and whim. While all these words mean "an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire," crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference.

a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

When would caprice be a good substitute for crotchet?

The words caprice and crotchet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness.

by sheer caprice she quit her job

When is vagary a more appropriate choice than crotchet?

In some situations, the words vagary and crotchet are roughly equivalent. However, vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire.

he had been prone to strange vagaries

Where would whim be a reasonable alternative to crotchet?

While the synonyms whim and crotchet are close in meaning, whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination.

an odd antique that was bought on a whim

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 crotchet Eccentricities, crotchets, and hobbyhorses are such interesting intellectual drivers. — Clare Bucknell, The New York Review of Books, 27 June 2026 Think outside the box All book collectors develop distinctive crotchets. — Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024 The origins of brackets — once referred to as crotchets, crooks, or hooks — are a mystery. — Sarah Fay, Longreads, 17 Mar. 2020 Maxine attended to his every whim and crotchet, never lost faith in his brilliance or potential, and delighted in surrounding him with exactly the sort of frivolous company his wife abhorred. — Sadie Stein, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crotchet

Noun

Also, that Frodo Baggins camera trick makes Katie look even tinier in the turret.

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
If the extent of your lawn care consists of blowing leaves off a patio every now and then, a DeWalt leaf blower (or even a simple broom) will do the trick.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

Below, Forbes Coaches Council members share some unusual questions to ask and the kinds of traits or behaviors their answers may reveal.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
The early amphibian is described in a study published today in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, and is an example of how some of the classic traits seen in today’s living frogs and salamanders evolved.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of trait

Noun

Also, its rolling olive oil cart, replete with its own menu describing the oils’ characteristics and origins, allows passengers to sample many.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
The design is part of Kairos Power’s approach to developing advanced reactors with different safety characteristics from traditional nuclear plants.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Growing older, Christian inherited his father’s mannerisms and infectious energy and often wears a glittering Bad Boy chain around his neck, firmly tying himself to his father’s shadow.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Others noticed how similar Ella’s voice and mannerisms are to Bening’s.

— Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of mannerism

Noun

The Aries Full Moon illuminates your private 12th house, bringing an old emotion, habit, memory, or attachment closer to the surface.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Your routines and health habits are under a microscope, urging you to consider what is no longer sustainable.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of habit

Noun

Suppressing tics as treatment Suppressing tics can be distracting and exhausting, yet decades of research has shown that tic suppression can be strengthened and used therapeutically.

— Michael Okun, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026
Somehow, Stan does, inhabiting the physicality and voice completely, turning up the volume on the Trumpian tics as the character ages.

— Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of tic

Noun

There is a big revelation less than halfway into the show, one that might even count as a plot twist, and thus something not to be spoiled… if not for the fact that virtually every synopsis in the last 70 years has included it in the first sentence.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
There will be twists (some of them revealed within this very episode) that are entirely based on chance and on production interference.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of twist

Noun

While Miller pores over Kaczynski’s famous manifesto, correctly concluding that its linguistic quirks will lead the authorities to him, the upshot of Murray’s study four decades before is that the young Kaczynski shows signs of schizophrenia.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
So these are the scheduling quirks that come with our awesome move to nine games that has sure looked so great here lately.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of quirk

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crotchet

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“Crotchet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crotchet. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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