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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 growth outlook in Asia’s third-largest economy has remained relatively robust, thanks to strong domestic consumption and a relatively lower dependence on exports, cushioning the blow from U.S. President Donald Trump’s erratic trade policy. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 May 2025 As Thomas' behaviors become erratic and increasingly Goofy-like, concerns arise among his colleagues, and his original vision for the film is ultimately scrapped by the company. James Mercadante, EW.com, 29 May 2025 Trump’s erratic trade war has already unsettled consumers and taken a toll on economic growth — mostly due to American businesses rushing to stock up on imports. Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 May 2025 Despite navigating supply chain disruptions and consumer spending fluctuations caused by the administration's erratic policy shifts that have whipsawed markets, the company confidently reaffirmed its 2025 guidance—demonstrating remarkable operational discipline in an unpredictable environment. Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for erratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erratic
Adjective
  • But all that information exists in random, unorganized disorder.
    Jerry Weissman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • Watch any random movie in the Cannes selection and you’re bound to see a parade of opening credits signaling production resources from across Europe, including many national film funds.
    Eric Kohn, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, those days are more sporadic and like Hernandez, resembles little to the player who dragged Milan over the line three years ago to steal an unlikely league title.
    Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Those moments have grown more sporadic in recent months, with Watkins no longer looked to as Villa’s key source of goals.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Joining me is my Staten Island brother, Pete Davidson, who unveils a darker, dramatic side as his character navigates a bizarre group of residents in an old age home.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
  • But inexplicably, Villa contrived to lose the game, thanks in no small part to goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s sending off in the first half for a bizarre body-check on Rasmus Hojlund.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • While a few breeds, such as the Turkish Van, are known to enjoy the occasional swim, the average house cat is famously water-averse.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • Having the occasional treat or missing a workout is okay.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Read More: The Healthiest Way to Clean Your House Check the base of the unit, too: Dirt can settle underneath, making the entire thing uneven, leading to performance issues and major repairs down the road, Drew says.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2025
  • The American game was largely insular, coaching education uneven, and infrastructure limited.
    Lee Igel, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • After coming to the Mets at the trade deadline, Blackburn had a serious of strange injuries, getting hit by a line drive on his hand, and then suffering from a spinal fluid leak that required surgery.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
  • There, the homeowner said a stranger barefoot and clad only in black shorts — later identified as Schaefer — opened the unlocked back door and came inside.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Businesses now live in fear of retroactive rulings, arbitrary penalties and endless audits.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • The risks include wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.
    Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Residents lack running water, use 5-gallon buckets as toilets and must contend with intermittent electricity and deteriorating homes that expose them to the region’s fierce weather.
    Emily Schwing, ProPublica, 29 May 2025
  • The issues appeared to be largely resolved by around 10 a.m., but some users experienced intermittent issues with the platform until about 11 a.m.
    Erin Doherty, CNBC, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Erratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erratic. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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