IDIOSYNCRATIC Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

idiosyncratic

adjective

as in distinctive

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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 idiosyncratic The idiosyncratic biopic makes the right choices, giving us in a sliver of time the dailiness of a working life with its gossip, money worries, and ongoing projects dwindling or cresting or inching forward. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 Much has been made of Winter’s idiosyncratic star power, and as an extremely tall, wet-dog-handsome instrumental virtuoso with a one-of-a-kind voice and just enough self-aware wit and lacerating lyricism to keep it relatable, that’s indisputable. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 All interiors were devised in 2022 by Susie Atkinson, who has melded contemporary features with classic and antique furniture to create characterful, idiosyncratic rooms. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Both of these idiosyncratic films broke box office records for the company. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026 Where else to look Other beverage companies have higher dividend yields, lower valuations and less idiosyncratic risk, and could have a better chance of outperforming in a downturn. — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026 In that vein, the interspersing of Barats’ observations between lingering shots of water and some idiosyncratic extras makes for an intriguing texture. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026 His idiosyncratic movement style combines classical ballet, modern dance and emphatic physical theater, harkening back to his early training in Chicago with Sybil Shearer. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 But this isn’t a vanity project, and the wealth gets shared in terms of screen time and idiosyncratic performances. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for idiosyncratic

Adjective

Altadena had a distinctive and cherished identity before the fire.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The tiny Norwegian archipelago, 68 degrees north of the Arctic Circle and two flights from Oslo, is a distinctive and dramatic landscape with spiky mountains rising from the Norwegian Sea and sandy beaches fringed by fjords.

— Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinctive

Adjective

In each case, what began as the characteristic business cultures of the two AI superpowers is now embedded in their foreign policy.

— NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
Humans, for example, typically have their hearts on the left, while other internal organs occupy characteristic positions.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Adjective

Heuer’s attorney, Erick Kaardal, argued that privacy concerns could be balanced with the public’s right to access government records by redacting identifying or sensitive information on the forms.

— Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
But the implementation of that plan has been slow, and some locals have expressed discomfort with the idea of submitting more identifying information, Nguyen said.

— Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026

Definition of identifying

Adjective

That website works great in the demo—under specific conditions and without users with thumbs for fingers.

— Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026
But rather than any of her contemporaries, one specific anecdote from Jensen’s school years seems like the most apt context for the measured wandering on Jazz dreams.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of specific

Adjective

Reservations for the intimate South End space are available online.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
Designed by Peter Niemitz Design with an architectural assist from Spina O’Rourke + Partners, the restaurant has a more intimate dining room with banquette seating, a sushi bar and a cocktail bar.

— Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimate

Adjective

Hemsworth’s work has always spanned genres—just look at his omnivorous DJ sets—but Numbskull positions him as a more traditional songwriter, underscored by the album’s personal, earnest tone.

— Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
The magnitude of the devastation is made personal for all of us.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of personal

Adjective

On Tuesday, Elon Musk, the CEO and largest shareholder of both companies, said the electric vehicle maker and the rocket company had formed special committees at the request of shareholders to discuss the idea.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
For the collection, the mill applies a special cleaning process to cotton that removes 80 percent of impurities.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of special

Browse Nearby Words

idiosyncrasy

idiosyncratic

idiot

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“Idiosyncratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idiosyncratic. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of idiosyncratic

adjective

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