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 But Claire has her limits from the lopsided equilibrium — Libras bounce when the romantic balance is off-kilter. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 His specific visual language — off-kilter, comedic, collaborative — scored him legions of fans. — Maria Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 Nearby Boyne Mountain has two more eighteens, Alpine and Monument, which play more up and down then across the slopes, avoiding the wacky off-kilter failing of so many mountain courses. — Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 Their iconic poppy flowers and off-kilter stripes are a great way to make an immediate impression and look especially beautiful on large-scale upholstery or drapery. — Alyssa Longobucco, Architectural Digest, 19 June 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
  • Whatever ends up coming for Alpha, with their TV fragmented into a billion tiny screens, it’s bound to be bizarre.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader's San Francisco Giants season has ended prematurely due to a bizarre scooter accident.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • Mynatt says that tamping too lightly, unevenly, or inconsistently leads to uneven water flow (called channeling).
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That was to avoid both leagues having 15 apiece and with uneven teams every day on the schedule having one team idle.
    — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • That strange sense of incompletion hung over the Detroit Tigers’ clubhouse Saturday night.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Having collaborated with his parents since the late 1980s, Berenstain was no stranger to furthering the family legacy.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Compared with tilted plastic rafts used in warmer climates, this design attaches flexible solar panels directly to thick, waterproof foam sheets, reducing wind exposure.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026
  • Citi maintained that risks to oil prices remain tilted to the upside, as Iran retains significant control over the timing and terms of any potential agreement to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz energy route.
    — Sam Meredith,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 10 May 2026
Definition of tilted
Adjective
  • Chip Honcho seems unlikely to be enormously loved by the track money, but weirder things have happened.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • This is a problem with anything that gets into that weird private equity, conglomerate zone.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • Stankoven erupted for 11 goals and five assists in 19 playoff games en route to the Stanley Cup, and his impact was greater than his point production all season, shown by his crooked possession and play-driving numbers.
    — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 28 July 2026
  • The release encourages people not to use any card reader that looks loose, crooked, damaged or scratched, and to use tap-to-pay or chip technology whenever possible.
    — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 27 July 2026
Definition of crooked
Adjective
  • Gu-cheon is arrogant, conspicuously misplaced in the palace hierarchy, and in some sneaky ways, dryly funny, in stark contrast to co-star Roh Yoon Seo’s more determined, earnest portrayal of court lady Saeng Gang.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • That ethos bled into the script read, which saw the crew assembled take swings with the material and inject a bit more comedy into the already funny original film.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • The lineup is also without 3B Matt Chapman (abdominal strain) and OFs Harrison Bader (plantar fasciitis), Jonah Cox (oblique) and Victor Bericoto (oblique).
    — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2026
  • Well, Jonah Cox is nearly recovered from his oblique injury and could merit a longer look.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of oblique

Browse Nearby Words

off-key
off-kilter
off-limits
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Off-kilter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-kilter. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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