as in eccentric
a person of odd or whimsical habits
she's known as the office oddball
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bizarre
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oddball
Judy Berman, Time, 11 Mar. 2026
In Season 1, eight years after an unforgivable mistake nukes his promising college football career, hotshot quarterback Russ Holliday (Powell) tries to resurrect his dreams by disguising himself as Chad Powers — a talented oddball who walks on to the struggling South Georgia Catfish.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
Expect bells-and-whistles orchestral shows full of the oddball jokes, elaborate choreographies, and technological thrills that have made the Talking Heads frontman’s recent live show the biggest boon of his solo career.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oddball
Noun
Megan Lilly Wilding’s Nova might have been a single-scene oddball in a different show but here develops into a shrewd, tenacious partner in Joyce’s investigation.
—Judy Berman, Time, 11 Mar. 2026
In Season 1, eight years after an unforgivable mistake nukes his promising college football career, hotshot quarterback Russ Holliday (Powell) tries to resurrect his dreams by disguising himself as Chad Powers — a talented oddball who walks on to the struggling South Georgia Catfish.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
In the 2010s, having an affinity for Lil B was almost like membership in a secret society of listeners whose ears were attuned to the same oddball frequency.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
Expect bells-and-whistles orchestral shows full of the oddball jokes, elaborate choreographies, and technological thrills that have made the Talking Heads frontman’s recent live show the biggest boon of his solo career.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oddball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oddball
Noun
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The town’s overflowing with charming Midwest eccentrics, including a cocky mayor (Henry Winkler) and a welcoming barkeep (Lena Headey).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Those crazy, diverse individuals, that tribe of oddballs and eccentrics, dreamers, and gamblers who make up this business.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Upset over a bizarre technical foul in Game 2, Booker unloaded on the refs, particularly James Williams.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The New York Giants had a completely bizarre draft on Thursday – one that even left star wide receiver Malik Nabers visibly frustrated during his own simulcast with Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons.—
Ryan Gaydos OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The room shifts character throughout the day, with lighting that transforms the atmosphere as heroes and villains appear.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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As Michael, Jaafar Jackson’s speaking voice is expressive, and his presence blends strength and fragility, power and vulnerability, even if, in dramatic scenes, the character is granted too little substance for there to be a self to express.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The barbed fact is that the woman caught in the middle of this unusual male arrangement benefits from none of their newfound emotional enlightenment.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Trent Richardson and Saquon Barkley are the only running backs who have been drafted in the top three picks in the last two decades of the NFL draft, but Jeremiyah Love joins that group as the Cardinals take the unusual move of drafting a back this high.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Her husband Patrik reopens the cold case, but Erica – unhappy with the inquiry original conducted by Patrik’s mentor Gösta, starts her own investigation.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
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Now there are two locations — with the new one on South Bascom Avenue in San Jose open longer hours than the Sunnyvale original.—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Anyone surprised by how kooky this song is has not been paying enough attention to Robyn’s whole deal.—
Molly Mary O’Brien,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
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Costume designer Lissy Turner drapes Parsons in flowy layers and embroidered velvet, conveying everything the audience needs to know about this woman and her kooky, open-minded beliefs.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oddball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oddball. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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