HEAD CASE Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

head case

noun

Definition of head case

as in character

a person of odd or whimsical habits an area of scientific research that's a good niche for social misfits and hard-core head cases

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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 head case My question is, with what AB did to the Raiders, Why would Gruden/Mayock want to take another head case like Jalen Ramsey? — Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2019 Whiteside has a reputation of being a bit of a head case, and also, in need of motivation. — oregonlive.com, 1 July 2019 Here’s a toast to both of them, performing in such relevant games after being written off as hopeless head cases earlier in their careers. — Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 May 2018 Grant Goodrich of Cleveland, who heads Case Western Reserve University's Great Lakes Energy Institute, collected $72,192 in the quarter, spent $28,273 and had $48,919 in the bank. — Sabrina Eaton, cleveland.com, 16 Apr. 2018 Then again, the finale may just add to the mystery, and turn not just a few, but every single character into a head case tortured by strange, traumatic visions and memories. — Kristi Turnquist, OregonLive.com, 12 Apr. 2018 Neither of the Aboutaam brothers has been charged with any wrongdoing related to any of these investigations or to the bull’s head case. — Georgi Kantchev, WSJ, 27 Sep. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for head case

Noun

And magically, the architects and designers have achieved this without compromising its unique character.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Captivated by the unknown, meeting characters as elusive as those in a Homer epic, Niaz sets in motion an irreversible process of self-transformation.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of character

Noun

No documentarian has a better eye for intriguing oddballs than Errol Morris, who built his feature film career on drawing them out in conversation, from pet-cemetery owners in Gates of Heaven to small-town eccentrics in Vernon, Florida.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
With its loose ends and digressions, Dream Me a Dream stays true to those idiosyncratic instincts while retaining enough of the welcoming glow of Dance of Love to make this an affecting farewell from an endearing eccentric.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026

Definition of eccentric

Noun

Moore and Minnelli returned for a 1988 sequel, while a 2011 remake starred Russell Brand, Jennifer Garner, Greta Gerwig and Helen Mirren, but neither matched the success of the original, which was named one of AFI’s top 100 comedies.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026
When the same walls had fire on both faces, their compressive strength dropped to 14% to 27% of the original.

— Giorgia Giardina, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of original

Noun

While Annie seemed like the odd duck out, her closest, idol-holding ally Alex seemed to be considering Sophi as his target, with the goal of taking out his bromance Jake’s other bestie.

— Nick Caruso, TVLine, 2 Oct. 2025
The Incredible Hulk' (2008) Before ultimately being replaced in other movies by Mark Ruffalo, Edward Norton starred as scientist Bruce Banner in this odd duck from the nascent MCU.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 July 2025

Definition of odd duck

Noun

That felt the opposite here,as Chandler and Pierre actually have great chemistry together — with Pierre delivering most of the thoughtful answers and Chandler playing the role of the lovable crank.

— Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026
No, this new flat-plane-crank V-8 is not the ultimate in silent running, sounding a little vocal at higher revs.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 29 July 2026

Definition of crank

Noun

That Liverpool have made only three loan signings across the past 10 years also highlights the rarity of such moves.

— Gregg Evans, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Though never explicitly stated, the film’s suggestion of a lesbian relationship between the two women was a rarity of the era.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026