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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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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 Huddy looked into the camera, seemingly understanding the awkward moment, and the interview has gone viral for Sanders' odd response. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025 Built as part of the Cardiff Hall plantation, the property had fallen into near ruin; chickens and the odd goat wandered through the living room. Isabel Wilkinson Schor, New York Times, 16 May 2025 Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are discovered across the planet. Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025 It was also updated to clarify the role of Victor Ortega-Jiménez in observing the flamingos' odd feeding behavior. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for odd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
Adjective
  • But seeing that ship in space today was a hell of a moment for us, so congratulations to every single person who put time, effort, sweat, anything, into that rocket.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 May 2025
  • The Cubs built a 2-0 lead in the first against Germán Márquez when Seiya Suzuki had an RBI single and Crow-Armstrong hit into a run-scoring forceout.
    Gavin Dorsey, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • The long strange trip is proving to be even longer than anyone thought.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Because of this strange clustering, the Atlantic Shark Institute has posted signs around Narragansett alerting beachgoers to be on the lookout.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Listen to this article The Rent Guidelines Board lowered the range of potential rent increases for some 2 million New Yorkers in an unusual redo vote Tuesday — a move that comes as the issue of freezing rents has taken center stage in the contentious mayoral race.
    Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
  • In an unusual step earlier this month, five former directors of the National Weather Service signed an open letter warning that the Trump administration’s cuts to the weather service and its parent agency NOAA may endanger lives.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Then again, this drought is uncommon for the 22-year-old center fielder.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • Flares of this magnitude are uncommon, the service added.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Others that have a small selling history and only a handful of items for sale at a time tend to be occasional sellers and wardrobe clearers.
    Benjamin Voyer, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • The only thing that could get between attendees and their snacks was the occasional free beer or run-in with a mascot.
    Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Moorehead family isn’t the only one left to navigate an unexplainable tragedy.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • So far, Novo Nordisk is the only company with a daily oral GLP-1 pill, and Eli Lilly could soon follow suit with orforglipron.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Sinner won a bizarre semifinal in his first tournament back from a three-month doping ban, while Alcaraz triumphed in a sloppy duel.
    Sam Settleman, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Known for its deluge of gruesome deaths that just get more bizarre with each iteration, Final Destination is now returning for a sixth movie.
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Now, after years of hard work and harder drinking, Bruce (an extraordinary Bill Camp) has early onset dementia.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
  • But what goes unmentioned—what stands in opposition to the siblings’ code of self-optimization and principled bodysurfing—is that their father’s success grew from the soil of an extraordinary season of public investment.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

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