ECCENTRIC Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'eccentric' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of eccentric are erratic , odd , outlandish , peculiar , quaint , singular , strange , and unique . While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. // the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Q: When is 'erratic' a more appropriate choice than 'eccentric'?

While the synonyms erratic and eccentric are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. // a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Q: When is it sensible to use 'odd' instead of 'eccentric'?

While in some cases nearly identical to eccentric , odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. // an odd sense of humor

Q: Where would 'outlandish' be a reasonable alternative to 'eccentric'?

Although the words outlandish and eccentric have much in common, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. // outlandish fashions of the time

Q: When could 'peculiar' be used to replace 'eccentric'?

The meanings of peculiar and eccentric largely overlap; however, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. // the peculiar status of America's first lady

Q: In what contexts can 'quaint' take the place of 'eccentric'?

In some situations, the words quaint and eccentric are roughly equivalent. However, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. // a quaint fishing village

Q: When can 'singular' be used instead of 'eccentric'?

The words singular and eccentric can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. // a singular feeling of impending disaster

Q: When would 'strange' be a good substitute for 'eccentric'?

The words strange and eccentric 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

Q: When might 'unique' be a better fit than 'eccentric'?

The synonyms unique and eccentric are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. // a career unique in the annals of science

eccentric 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈsen-trik

Definition of eccentric

as in bizarre

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion his eccentric decorating style isn't going over well with the neighbors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

eccentric

2 of 2

noun

as in character

a person of odd or whimsical habits an eccentric who designed his house to look like a Scottish castle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word eccentric distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of eccentric are erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When is erratic a more appropriate choice than eccentric?

While the synonyms erratic and eccentric 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 odd instead of eccentric?

While in some cases nearly identical to eccentric, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

Where would outlandish be a reasonable alternative to eccentric?

Although the words outlandish and eccentric have much in common, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When could peculiar be used to replace eccentric?

The meanings of peculiar and eccentric largely overlap; however, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

In what contexts can quaint take the place of eccentric?

In some situations, the words quaint and eccentric are roughly equivalent. However, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When can singular be used instead of eccentric?

The words singular and eccentric can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When would strange be a good substitute for eccentric?

The words strange and eccentric 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 might unique be a better fit than eccentric?

The synonyms unique and eccentric 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 eccentric

Adjective

Hugh Grant, as a cad who romances Frenchy, and Elaine May, as her daffy cousin, are bright spots in an eccentric supporting cast. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 In 2017, Hoffman reentered her witchy world with The Rules of Magic—a prequel about Sally (Bullock) and Gillian’s (Kidman) eccentric aunts, Frances (played by Stockard Channing) and Jet (Dianne Wiest). — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026

Noun

The eccentric cuz is quick to try and help Bobby solve problems, which often gets him into trouble, but ultimately pushes him out of his shell. — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026 Inbred eccentrics and bumbling detectives have populated the seaside villages of Bruno Dumont’s absurdist comedies. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for eccentric

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eccentric

Adjective

The bizarre explanation brought an end to an episode that generated widespread attention online after Pierre initially accused the courier of stealing the order.

— Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
An exhausting, head-spinning and often downright silly offseason is officially over after college football really kicked off on Thursday (after the always bizarre Week 0 last weekend).

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Noun

Behold the plight of the Ryan Murphy character, cursed to behave nonsensically and flit wildly from plotline to plotline based on the writer’s whims.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
At the center, a Geometric CNC Fuller visually reduces the mass of the blade while reinforcing Razorbill's distinctive multi-faceted character.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of character

Adjective

In a strange quirk of the 2026-27 fixture list, Leeds have been sent to the scenes of those crimes in quick succession once again.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
In short, unruly crowds, strange smells, intrusive noise and late nights are not unique inventions of the TikTok era.

— Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of strange

Noun

No documentarian has a better eye for intriguing oddballs than Errol Morris, who built his feature film career on drawing them out in conversation, from pet-cemetery owners in Gates of Heaven to small-town eccentrics in Vernon, Florida.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
The Ramones stood on stage not as rock gods or unattainable heroes, but as oddballs, misfits, and fellow outcasts in torn jeans.

— Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026

Definition of oddball

Noun

The production’s winking tone blunts some of the original’s tear-jerking climax, yet its intact happy ending offers a surprisingly comforting vision of survival in an age of constant crises.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
The new camera is designed to look like it was pulled directly from the 2000s (rather than the ’80s look of the original), with metallic silver and bubblegum pink options among the blind box shells.

— Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of original

Noun

Fewer teams, no travel ball weirdos, and kids that want to actually be there to learn and get better without losing a spot to some kid who’s parents sign them up to play the bare minimum to qualify for the LL tournaments.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Wrestling can attract lonely 20-somethings, misunderstood outsiders, and creative weirdos.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of weirdo

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“Eccentric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eccentric. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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