ODDBALL Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

oddball 1 of 2

noun

ˈäd-ˌbȯl

Definition of oddball

as in eccentric

a person of odd or whimsical habits she's known as the office oddball

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

oddball

2 of 2

adjective

as in bizarre

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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

Noun

His trilogy is, likewise, a straphangers’ gallery of metropolitan oddballs, from Zippo, a pyromaniac turned blaxploitation filmmaker, to Uncle Rich, a master criminal who stages a daring raid on the Waldorf-Astoria from a disused train tunnel with the help of a homeless army. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 Seventeen-year-old Claudine is furious to be moving to Paris on the whim of her oddball father. — Literary Hub, 15 June 2026

Adjective

Jane’s characters brim with oddball wisdom, and her genre-bending plots are always a delight. — Tessa Yang, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 The popular 2004 musical is about six oddball contestants at a regional middle-school-level spelling tournament. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for oddball

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oddball

Noun

With its loose ends and digressions, Dream Me a Dream stays true to those idiosyncratic instincts while retaining enough of the welcoming glow of Dance of Love to make this an affecting farewell from an endearing eccentric.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
The eccentric cuz is quick to try and help Bobby solve problems, which often gets him into trouble, but ultimately pushes him out of his shell.

— Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026

Definition of eccentric

Adjective

When this place is eventually gone — a phrase that feels truly bizarre given the environment this summer and the half-century preceding it — the lasting images will be the seas of red.

— Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Continue reading … 'DEEPLY WEIRD' — CNN panel's bizarre 'read as Jewish' comment about a senator draws fierce blowback.

— , FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of bizarre

Noun

Each will showcase original works from more than 30 artists reimagining iconic moments, characters and worlds from Sonic’s history, alongside artwork from SEGA’s archives.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 8 July 2026
Thorpe’s characters are so specific, their balance of prickliness and kindness and quirk so delicate, that one wrong casting choice could ruin the whole viewing experience.

— Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026

Definition of character

Adjective

Although his adoption listing didn't mention his unusual paws, his foster mom did.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Indeed, that has led to the highly unusual situation of Australia not being the defending champions in either women’s World Cup, with India holding the 50-over title and New Zealand the T20 crown.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of unusual

Noun

According to Variety, tracking services now forecast that the movie will actually debut to between $60 million and $65 million giving it ticket sales that are barely above the original, which opened to $56 million.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Designed by Eduardo Suarez, the new restaurant is bright and eye-pleasing, with more space than the original.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Definition of original

Adjective

The film premieres in theaters on June 26, and the story follows a couple (Wilde and Rogen) who invite their slightly kooky, yet very endearing neighbors (Cruz and Norton) over for a dinner that quickly dissolves into chaos.

— Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 25 June 2026
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

Definition of kooky

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“Oddball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oddball. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of oddball

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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