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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 For summer evenings, or New York apartments with erratic radiators, this is the cooler choice. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 9 May 2025 Passed Out The husband's pattern of drinking and erratic behavior was outlined in distressing detail. Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025 His erratic trade policies — including 145% tariffs on China — have paralyzed businesses and threatened to raise prices and hurt consumers. Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025 Yet in the midst of his usual erratic, intimidating behavior(*), there’s also a bit of the romantic. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for erratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erratic
Adjective
  • If my random and unscientific survey of some French opinion at all represents the nation’s as a whole, then the debut of Donald Trump’s America has left some French triste — a bit sad, even brokenhearted, and also wary and vigilant.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
  • This is not a random person who suddenly morphs into a public figure and is naïve about the kinds of questions reporters tend to ask.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • And while sporadic outbreaks have occurred since 2000, recent case counts are nothing compared with the 27,000 cases reported in 1990 or the 450,000 cases reported in 1964.
    Joe Murphy, NBC news, 8 May 2025
  • And there has been one since then, five years ago, but clearly your own recorded output is on the sporadic side, taking a big back seat to the songwriting.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Sinner won a bizarre semifinal in his first tournament back from a three-month doping ban, while Alcaraz triumphed in a sloppy duel.
    Sam Settleman, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Known for its deluge of gruesome deaths that just get more bizarre with each iteration, Final Destination is now returning for a sixth movie.
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Goygol includes 65,000 residents, prim parks, tall pines and occasional Tyrolean architecture.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • John’s piano and vocals, thankfully, were front and center, and did not suffer from uneven mixing.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • Plus, uneven subsidence across a city can destabilize buildings and infrastructure.
    Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 8 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
  • Thankfully, Karr and his team knew where to look, starting with the strange way a common type of bacteria functions in fruit flies.
    Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Even the country’s closest democratic allies and largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, faced ridicule, seemingly arbitrary import tax rates, and threats of territorial ambition.
    Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Trump also began arguing that the border drawn between the U.S. and Canada is just arbitrary.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • According to devotees—especially followers of ketogenic and paleo diets or intermittent fasting—this intriguing combo boosts energy and concentration.
    Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Large-scale battery storage helps to overcome the challenges from the intermittent nature of energy derived from the sun and wind, allowing power companies to match supply with times of peak demand.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Erratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erratic. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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