Definition of oddnext
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as in single
being one of a pair or set without a corresponding mate somehow, there's always at least one odd sock that comes out of the dryer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word odd distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of odd are eccentric, erratic, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When can eccentric be used instead of odd?

The words eccentric and odd can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When would erratic be a good substitute for odd?

While the synonyms erratic and odd are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of odd?

In some situations, the words outlandish and odd are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is peculiar a more appropriate choice than odd?

While in some cases nearly identical to odd, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When might quaint be a better fit than odd?

Although the words quaint and odd have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to odd?

The meanings of singular and odd largely overlap; however, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can strange take the place of odd?

The words strange and odd are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When could unique be used to replace odd?

The synonyms unique and odd are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

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 odd On the other hand, older daters should be on the lookout for odd financial behavior from a companion. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 6 June 2026 From there, give or take the odd tonal fillip in the script, everything proceeds according to the romcom playbook — third-act roadblocks, reconciliations and all. Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 June 2026 The process saddles the building with a randomness that makes for an odd fit with the nation’s ultrarational CEO, and the result is no less opaque or imposing. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 June 2026 This next-day move may seem a bit odd, given the company not only exceeded expectations for the reported quarter, but also issued guidance ahead of expectations for the current three-month period. Zev Fima, CNBC, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for odd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
Adjective
  • The Knicks trailed in every single game against San Antonio and were down as many as 10 in the fourth quarter of Game 5.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • On June 8, Kentucky State Police Post 11 in London, Kentucky, responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on Interstate 75 northbound near the 62-mile marker in Rockcastle County.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • The issue at hand – renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA – has created strange political bedfellows this year on Capitol Hill, miring lawmakers in a debate pitting privacy against safety while consuming much of Congress' election-year time.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • Brunson answered with one of the strangest makes of his postseason.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • The lobby is filled with well-to-do patrons, and seeing children in tow is not unusual.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
  • In the case of the female individual, the authors noted an unusual break at the base of the cranium that likely occurred near the time of death.
    Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • According to the National Cancer Institute, SEF is so uncommon that there is limited data available about treatment for the disease as well as how many people have it.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
  • Turns out, being conflated with the characters one plays is not uncommon, at least for the TV stars gathered at THR‘s Drama Actors Emmy Roundtable.
    Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • There has been the occasional roar, especially when OG Anunoby makes a 3-pointer.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 11 June 2026
  • Friends described Boelter as an evangelical Christian and occasional preacher and missionary who held politically conservative views and had been struggling to find work.
    Tim Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • The backstory Playa Cativo is one of the only hotels along this quiet stretch of coast—and by far the most luxurious (the only other lodge nearby is a hostel popular with backpackers).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
  • Robinson wasn't the only Knick who seemed fed up with Wembanyama.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Then, to make the situation more bizarre, Arnaldi and Cobolli held a press conference together in the same room despite the former being sick and the latter being two days away from playing in a Grand Slam final.
    Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 7 June 2026
  • The astronauts reported bizarre smells, and had issues flushing urine outside the spacecraft as designed.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • Heat radiates from the pages of this extraordinary novel about a poor family in rural Mississippi in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
  • Today’s presidential centers require extraordinary amounts of private capital to support broader ambitions.
    Andre Dowell, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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