1
2
3
4

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 Unpredictable road users including jaywalkers, weaving cyclists, lane-splitting motorcycles, animals and erratic drivers. Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025 These developments highlight the challenges Texas faces in balancing water supply, infrastructure resilience and conservation amid increasingly erratic climate conditions. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025 During the pandemic, many workers at restaurants with less enlightened owners quit their jobs, Jayaraman noted, signalling their frustration with the low and erratic pay. Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 July 2025 On the flipside, his finishing can be erratic, often opting for the prospect of spectacular goals over precision and the guarantees offered by better positioning. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for erratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erratic
Adjective
  • In case of doubt, competent authorities may carry out random on-site inspections of cybersecurity standards in the companies, for which the management can be held liable.
    Dennis-Kenji Kipker, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Until then, the random Week 17 NFL game will prove to be a downgrade from Peacock’s exclusive Week 1 game last season — the league’s first-ever regular-season game in South America — which itself was a downgrade from its own preceding season’s exclusive NFL Wild Card Weekend game.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Following sporadic touring upon their most recent reformation, The Jesus Lizard increased their live appearances last year, with the group having already completed tours of the U.S., U.K. and Europe in 2025.
    Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Today's threats can no longer be managed with static cameras and sporadic patrols.
    Freddy Kuo, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • After a couple of insulting caricatures, increasingly bizarre depictions of the Vice President started to spread through the internet, the trend becoming a competition to see who could create the most hideous, weird or original Vance.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • These clever yet bizarre gadgets are both fun and oddly useful.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Cast-iron pots and pans require occasional seasoning to restore a fading nonstick surface.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
  • True leadership development isn’t about checking a box with occasional training.
    Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Back in April, Ulta had already slowed its rollout within Target, citing uneven returns and operational friction in certain locations.
    Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • From the outside, staying in these uneven dynamics can look like passivity or even low self-esteem.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Death Valley’s Racetrack Playa is home to some very strange rocks.
    Andrew Paul Aug 14, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
  • What begins as a strange ritual quickly unravels into a waking nightmare.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In some ways, are triple doubles an arbitrary achievement?
    Shane Young, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Lalami clearly needed a way to get Sara home to end the book, and springing her in this way is consistent with the arbitrary nature of her incarceration and the mercurial behavior of her keepers.
    Book Marks August 7, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet intermittent fasting can upset the menstrual cycle, and women lose muscle mass from caloric restriction more rapidly than men.
    Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
  • The article traces the history of battery storage from its acceptance as a potential contributor to a low-carbon grid, playing a role in firming up intermittent resources, to its growing importance in grid stability.
    Llewellyn King, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Erratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erratic. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on erratic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!