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Synonym Chooser

How is the word erratic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of erratic are eccentric, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is eccentric a more appropriate choice than erratic?

The words eccentric and erratic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When can odd be used instead of erratic?

The meanings of odd and erratic largely overlap; however, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When could outlandish be used to replace erratic?

The words outlandish and erratic can be used in similar contexts, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

Where would peculiar be a reasonable alternative to erratic?

Although the words peculiar and erratic have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

In what contexts can quaint take the place of erratic?

While in some cases nearly identical to erratic, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When might singular be a better fit than erratic?

In some situations, the words singular and erratic are roughly equivalent. However, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When would strange be a good substitute for erratic?

While the synonyms strange and erratic are close in meaning, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When is it sensible to use unique instead of erratic?

The synonyms unique and erratic 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 erratic The ramp to a record high some eight days ago featured orderly, rotational index action with a more erratic surge in low-quality, speculative stocks and fevered options buying by retail traders occurring in parallel. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025 Due to erratic hormone levels and decreasing amounts of estrogen, perimenopause can come with a wide array of physical and emotional symptoms. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 Oct. 2025 Red blood cells are destroyed to maintain balance, and blood pressure regulation becomes more erratic. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025 Richard’s account would probably differ and have more to do with Lorenz’s alcoholism, depression, erratic work habits, and aversion to sentimentality. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for erratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erratic
Adjective
  • Only random film students might ask her about it.
    Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • So random though, and never had both my phone and internet just flatline like that.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These factions do not hold stable territory, but their sporadic resistance — from raids to armed standoffs — signals the first cracks in Hamas’s grip.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Freeze’s scheme, however, has leaned too heavily on sporadic big plays and not enough on sustained drives — a formula that has left Auburn struggling in late-game situations.
    Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the film, Credenza runs the bizarre amusement park of Twitlandia alongside her husband — delighting in dirty pranks, filth and cruelty along the way.
    Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • However, an anonymous NFL general manager has urged the team to target a bizarre position instead.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Michigan residents are in for another seasonable week, with cooler temperatures and scattered rain, according to the National Weather Service.
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • By comparison, campaign two felt more scattered and improvisational (befitting a D&D game).
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While some may view it as extravagant goods and high-end services, others see it as occasional splurges, unique experiences and good health.
    Maddie McGay, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Daily and nightly tours now offer visitors its complex history, along with an occasional paranormal scare.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • After Florida State and Clemson fought for an uneven share of ACC revenue, a Georgia Tech versus Virginia championship game just feels right.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Southern live oaks draped in Spanish moss that tower and twist over city squares, Neoclassical Antebellum architecture, gas lamps that flicker over uneven cobblestone paths, and a humid subtropical climate that hangs heavy in the air.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Thomas Wentworth Higginson spent his leisure time writing down the strange new lyrics in his journal.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The place was a dump, with paint chipping from the ceilings, floors slanted at strange angles, rodent droppings situated along the floorboards, and paper-thin walls that welcomed in bitter winter air.
    Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The trend's noon cutoff is also arbitrary, and while the habits are beneficial, the timing and exact numbers may not suit everyone's needs or lifestyles — and may not always be possible.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Anchor your investments Anchoring happens when investors fixate on an arbitrary reference point.
    Chris Stevens, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Erratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erratic. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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