as in eccentrics
a person of odd or whimsical habits
she's known as the office oddball
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Recent Examples of oddballs
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
The Sun Belt is the only real exception, having now defined itself as FBS’ actual Southeastern conference, partly by losing its former oddballs like Idaho and New Mexico State.
—Jason Kirk, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Jack and Rose are oddballs, neither fitting into their respective societal slots.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026
At that time, writers such as Angela Carter or Kathy Acker were oddballs.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The shows share a preoccupation with the heroic potential of oddballs and burnouts, one that has kept Horses galloping for five seasons (and two more are in the works).
—Judy Berman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Sometimes explaining one’s affinity for a specific Pokémon is difficult; since Satoshi Tajiri has been dreaming up these pet-warrior-oddballs, many have historically had a certain je ne sais quoi.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Will these two oddballs, thrust together by a dental emergency on a night that commends peace on Earth and goodwill toward men, maintain a friendship?
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
The Sun Belt is the only real exception, having now defined itself as FBS’ actual Southeastern conference, partly by losing its former oddballs like Idaho and New Mexico State.
—Jason Kirk, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Jack and Rose are oddballs, neither fitting into their respective societal slots.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026
At that time, writers such as Angela Carter or Kathy Acker were oddballs.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The shows share a preoccupation with the heroic potential of oddballs and burnouts, one that has kept Horses galloping for five seasons (and two more are in the works).
—Judy Berman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Sometimes explaining one’s affinity for a specific Pokémon is difficult; since Satoshi Tajiri has been dreaming up these pet-warrior-oddballs, many have historically had a certain je ne sais quoi.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Will these two oddballs, thrust together by a dental emergency on a night that commends peace on Earth and goodwill toward men, maintain a friendship?
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oddballs
Noun
-
Those crazy, diverse individuals, that tribe of oddballs and eccentrics, dreamers, and gamblers who make up this business.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
On her trail are a Báthory relative who is vegetarian (Thomas Schubert), his psychotherapist (Lars Eidinger), two vampirologists, a police inspector and a gallery of eccentrics.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Plain oats are nutritious on their own, but adding seeds, nuts, and fruit can provide a wider range of vitamins and minerals while increasing fiber and protein.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Chopped nuts would add nice crunch.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oddballs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oddballs. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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