as in eccentric
a person of odd or whimsical habits
she's known as the office oddball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bizarre
Related Words
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 oddball
Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
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
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
There’s one enjoyably oddball visual when Passenger Man disrupts a cozy projector-and-canopy movie night in the forest and suddenly the faces of Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn are on trees everywhere as mayhem ensues.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for oddball
Noun
The first of these—a cult favorite among writers, particularly youngish women writers—put Lemann on the map as a singular stylist, capable of crystalline insights into the miscreants and oddballs of the American South and great bursts of unrestrained sentiment.
—Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
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
Adjective
The result serves as a juicy showcase for the king of crazy-brilliant characters, Nicolas Cage, as well as a slick addition to the noir genre, complete with eye-catching cinematography that adds to the series’ oddball appeal.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
There’s one enjoyably oddball visual when Passenger Man disrupts a cozy projector-and-canopy movie night in the forest and suddenly the faces of Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn are on trees everywhere as mayhem ensues.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for oddball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oddball
Noun
-
But what the New Yorker writer left behind is some of the finest prose of the 20th century, focusing primarily on the eccentrics, scalawags, seamen, and other denizens of New York’s dank corners.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
2 May 2026
-
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
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
Noun
-
Canfield, as proven by her work in Stereophonic, is extremely able at playing a character with a pristine, almost porcelain surface and roiling depths.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
-
Each of their characters has their foibles but neither ever leans unlikable.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
Since arriving at the zoo, the buffalo has attracted large crowds and sparked debate over its unusual nickname.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
What’s unusual is to see these elements presented so grandly on a stage as big as The Bushnell’s and presented in a manner that doesn’t compromise a dark tale of anger, revenge, dangerous romance, desperation and survival.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The decision to launch Allen’s show in Colbert’s time slot on a Friday was surprising, because none of the current crop of late-night programs airs originals regularly on Fridays, meaning the audience does not regularly tune to them in typical numbers.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 May 2026
-
Arcade, the management firm formed to represent the Sidemen, earlier this year hired Connor Suckling, a former News UK and LADbible originals executive, as Head of Original Video to lead on IP development and originals.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Polish Public Library Poster, $50 When in doubt, some kooky book-adjacent art will brighten up their new, probably also kooky, apartment.—
Lit Hub Approved,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Oddball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oddball. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
