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

Fit Check of the Week Tim Burton, iconoclast filmmaker extraordinaire, has a new capsule with Loewe, which has recreated characters and vignettes from The Nightmare Before Christmas as bags and charms.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
Missi Pyle Pyle rounds out the new cast members to join Stick for the show’s second season, with details about her character still underwraps.

— Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of character

Noun

The immature eccentric initially has no plans to head back to the States, until Christy convinces him to stand tall and fight.

— Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2026
Step inside, though, and you’re transported to a bucolic Britain of rolling hills and village greens, bumbling eccentrics and cute, clever farm animals.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of eccentric

Noun

The real treasure here is the little fixes and updates that make this masterpiece play better on modern hardware than the original.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Both franchises were American Football League originals, although each has a new nickname these days.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 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

Don’t back down from the rain Sam and Jasmin’s wedding day started out a bit drizzly, a rarity for early summer in Istanbul.

— Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
Though the average age of a lawmaker in Congress has gotten younger in recent years, being a Gen Z member of Congress remains a rarity.

— Elena Moore, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026