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off-kilter

adjective

ˈȯf-ˈkil-tər How to pronounce off-kilter (audio)
Definition of off-kilternext
1
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion he's nice enough, but there's something a little off-kilter about him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneven
inclined or twisted to one side to me, the painting on the wall looks a little off-kilter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 off-kilter Rather than treating the producer’s off-kilter beats as something to overcome, Rhymes hears their humanity. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026 The other buttons are black, which is a nice off-kilter touch. — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Featuring an ensemble populated by killer character actors like Jacki Weaver, Luis Guzmán, Kurtwood Smith, Timothy Spall, and Michael Chernus, Perpetual Grace, LTD is an off-kilter neo-noir that mines deranged humor from its eccentric characters. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026 She’s spent the last few years wandering from one strange, off-kilter project to the next. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for off-kilter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-kilter
  1. bizarre
  2. uneven
  3. strange
  4. tilted
  5. weird
  6. crooked
  7. funny
  8. oblique
Adjective
  • The bizarre explanation brought an end to an episode that generated widespread attention online after Pierre initially accused the courier of stealing the order.
    — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • An exhausting, head-spinning and often downright silly offseason is officially over after college football really kicked off on Thursday (after the always bizarre Week 0 last weekend).
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • Heat and uneven rainfall have stressed forests in some areas, while timely moisture has kept others lush.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Waterproof formula—but doesn’t feel like a typical waterproof foundation, which can feel heavy and settle into uneven texture.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • In a strange quirk of the 2026-27 fixture list, Leeds have been sent to the scenes of those crimes in quick succession once again.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In short, unruly crowds, strange smells, intrusive noise and late nights are not unique inventions of the TikTok era.
    — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • The tilted surfaces were mostly chosen to mimic raindrops in the real world.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But analysts say risks to oil prices remain tilted to the upside.
    — , CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of tilted
Adjective
  • But the weird stuff came behind the bench, where the Oilers sure seemed to want to hire Bruce Cassidy, only to be blocked by Vegas.
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Everyone in town thinks the aunts are weird as hell, but who cares?
    — Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • An incoming generation, simply by their existence, dislodged a crooked anxiety that the new face of Asian America is Wasian.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Under Mitchell, Pecora showed, the nation’s largest bank had become an impeccably groomed racketeering enterprise, dressing up crooked enterprises as gilt-edged to sell their bonds and stocks to unsuspecting buyers.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of crooked
Adjective
  • Occasionally, this appeared to be in jest (although not actually very funny).
    — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Mulligan should win for her darkly funny, cringe-inducing turn, though Snook, Pidgeon and sentimental favorite Field are all in play too.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • Gold Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson’s eventual return from an oblique injury would elevate the club’s defense back to best-in-class.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The switch-hitter quickly caught on with the Padres as a minor league free agent, was called up after Samad Taylor’s oblique injury and collected three hits in a 19-2 win in Kansas City in his first start.
    — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of oblique

Browse Nearby Words

off-key
off-kilter
off-limits
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Cite this Entry

“Off-kilter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-kilter. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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