IDIOSYNCRASY Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

idiosyncrasy

noun

ˌi-dē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē

Definition of idiosyncrasy

as in trick

an odd or peculiar habit his only idiosyncrasy is his inveterate wearing of sneakers, even with business suits

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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 idiosyncrasy Nina Simone’s definition of freedom, in the early 1970s, as the absence of fear, and Gaye’s license to express oneself, down to every last funky idiosyncrasy. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 With exceptional performances from the entire cast and homages to musical legends like Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson, Bioh and White present a reflection of the Black female experience in all of its dazzling idiosyncrasies, triumphs and pains. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026 Two new books argue that this is the wrong debate to be having, since swing voters, with all their idiosyncrasies, don’t see politics through a lens of moderates versus progressives. — Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026 Much of his work has poked at the idiosyncrasies and absurdities of modern business, some of it toeing the line between documentary and fiction. — Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for idiosyncrasy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for idiosyncrasy

Noun

As the title promises, YouTube-esque explainer videos featuring four gunmen in wolf masks bring the tips and tricks of bank robbing to a legion of online followers.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026
Candy is dandy as a Halloween treat, but what the kids really wanted this year were the clicker keychains columnist Donna Vickroy included in her trick-or-treat bucket.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

Another reveals a family trait or behavior that was unwittingly passed from generation to generation.

— Gary Barron, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Claude is destined to imitate these human traits and mirror the human examples provided to it, including acting like a colleague or friend.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of trait

Noun

The resulting denim is rigid, thick, durable, and functional—even suitable for motorcyclists—with each piece showcasing its own unique characteristics.

— Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 11 Nov. 2026
Not every patient is a candidate, and suitability depends on individual hair characteristics assessed in person.

— Burak Onal, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

And also like the fat bears of Katmai, every bear here has their own habits and quirks.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026
The majority have no chance of making it into the 120-seat Parliament — but a quirk of the Israeli election system ensures that even the most obscure contenders get their moment in the political limelight.

— Lia Lapidot Aaron Boxerman and Lia Lapidot, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of quirk

Noun

Blomstedt was impressed with Bernstein's musicianship but disliked his exuberant podium mannerisms.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
The system was trained for over a thousand hours on roughly six thousand images and frames of film and other media in order to replicate Dalí’s facial expressions, body movements, speech patterns, and mannerisms.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of mannerism

Noun

They are retained here as if to underscore the messy peculiarity of the world left behind.

— Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
Due to peculiarities of history and tax law, a special district to fund a major project, like a baseball stadium, could be more powerful in West Sacramento than in other cities.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of peculiarity

Noun

By spreading out across so many influences instead of innovating in his niche, this new Hollis waters down his eccentricity with some derivative choices.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 12 Nov. 2026
Their rapport gives the investigation a buddy-cop vibe that’s meant to be cute and breezy, but Mark Bianculli’s script relies on clunky wisecracks and labored eccentricities that flatten whatever low-bubbling chemistry the actors share.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of eccentricity

Noun

Experts share the habits and triggers to avoid, plus the remedies that could help alleviate a persistent hack following a respiratory infection.

— Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Deer also commonly abandon typical daytime habits and begin moving about in search of a mate, DEEP said.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of habit

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idiosyncrasies

idiosyncrasy

idiosyncratic

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“Idiosyncrasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idiosyncrasy. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of idiosyncrasy

noun

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