IDIOSYNCRATIC Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

idiosyncratic

adjective

as in distinctive

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 idiosyncratic The city tries to keep its idiosyncratic businesses going while prospecting for newcomers. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 An idiosyncratic sandwich can be high-risk, high-reward—but only with the right know-how. — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026 Instead, the speakers who resonate most today are those who loosen up and embrace a more idiosyncratic, less perfect expressiveness. — Matt Abrahams, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 One takes negotiating with a team’s idiosyncratic preferences, the other takes paying the most money. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 The result has been the creation of idiosyncratic labs that attract teachers whose professional backgrounds tend to venture outside disciplinary bounds. — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Population-level case numbers hid individual after idiosyncratic individual — and just how closely research and practice could be intertwined. — Eric Boodman, STAT, 31 July 2026 The Persian Service’s content began to tilt sharply toward Javanmardi’s idiosyncratic perspective on Iran. — Marc Fisher, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 In this scenario, Rogen would emerge as a courageous if idiosyncratic folk hero — one richly rewarded for his stoner fortitude. — Peter Bart, Deadline, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for idiosyncratic

Adjective

Even before the war, the country had already developed a large legal profession, sophisticated corporate firms, and distinctive constitutional institutions, although European legal systems retained greater intellectual prestige.

— Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
The label’s mission emphasizes distinctive creative voices and stories that defy genre convention.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of distinctive

Adjective

Schwab's ambitions past trading are already on the record, delivered in Wurster's characteristic key of unhurried inevitability.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Notable among the findings is a road at least ¾ of a mile long with features, including a zigzagging route, characteristic of Inca construction.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 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

Without any specific consumer requests, Crowell said the brand experimented with the shadow’s function and formulation in the early stages of development.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026
Technology has significantly evolved since then, with 80% of 911 calls nationwide coming from wireless mobile devices rather than landlines tied to specific addresses.

— Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of specific

Adjective

Afforded a slightly more intimate feel than Southampton, Leicester et al due to its smaller size, Swansea fans can generate a lively atmosphere here, helped by what feels to be a good proximity to the action.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Your daughter can save her more intimate plans for a renewal-of-vows ceremony held on a milestone anniversary.

— Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of intimate

Adjective

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act means the court cannot order Meta to request children to submit personal data or be passively tracked online, even for age verification purposes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Some travel essentials are simply non-negotiable, from a blackout eye mask for sleeping on the plane to a personal safety alarm for peace of mind.

— Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of personal

Adjective

Bloomfield oversees the resort’s culinary activities too, like a fireside supper for two and a special picnic basket to take on a scenic hike.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
She’s hired a former Georgia Supreme Court chief justice as a special prosecutor to get the state’s appellate courts to weigh in.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of special

Browse Nearby Words

idiosyncrasy

idiosyncratic

idiot

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Idiosyncratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idiosyncratic. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of idiosyncratic

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on idiosyncratic

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

salvo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes