as in randomly
without definite aim, direction, rule, or method
the police officer pulled over the driver, who had been spotted driving very erratically
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Recent Examples of erratically
Bis, the Homeland Security spokesperson, said Aceituno acted erratically, escalated the situation and refused to comply with officers’ commands.
—
Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
If fish or turtles start to behave erratically, leave the water.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
Dashcam video of Spears' arrest on the evening of March 4 begins with officers' pursuit of a driver speeding erratically in a black BMW convertible.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
The University of Alabama team’s robot had a major issue with one of its wheel motors spinning erratically.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 May 2026
Before the shooting, Ortiz posted erratically on social media, addressing and tagging Rihanna directly.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Police said the pursuit began when troopers attempted to stop a black BMW Cope was driving erratically in the southbound lanes of Interstate 79 near mile marker 43 in North Strabane Township, Washington County.
—Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 16 May 2026
The post cautioned drivers to be more vigilant about deer that are acting erratically – perhaps drunkenly – and may be more unpredictable around roadways.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Ryan said the incident began after Boston police alerted authorities about a man acting erratically who was believed to be armed with a rifle.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
If fish or turtles start to behave erratically, leave the water.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
Dashcam video of Spears' arrest on the evening of March 4 begins with officers' pursuit of a driver speeding erratically in a black BMW convertible.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
The University of Alabama team’s robot had a major issue with one of its wheel motors spinning erratically.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 May 2026
Before the shooting, Ortiz posted erratically on social media, addressing and tagging Rihanna directly.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Police said the pursuit began when troopers attempted to stop a black BMW Cope was driving erratically in the southbound lanes of Interstate 79 near mile marker 43 in North Strabane Township, Washington County.
—Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 16 May 2026
The post cautioned drivers to be more vigilant about deer that are acting erratically – perhaps drunkenly – and may be more unpredictable around roadways.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Ryan said the incident began after Boston police alerted authorities about a man acting erratically who was believed to be armed with a rifle.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erratically
randomly
Adverb
-
Since late March, attackers have randomly stabbed two Jewish men, and arsonists have attacked three synagogues, an educational building, and four charity ambulances in the United Kingdom.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
-
The agency randomly selected properties and then went to sites where residents agreed to testing and where access was feasible.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Erratically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erratically. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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