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 acquiesce to the political advisor's preferred La-Z-Boy-style recliner, the designer reupholstered a roomy lounge chair and ottoman in floral fabric, preserving comfort while bringing it into the home’s off-kilter orbit. — Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026 Schiaparelli’s haute couture front row in Paris did not go into full surrealist shoe mode on Monday, but the house’s taste for the slightly off-kilter footwear still had a subtle presence. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 6 July 2026 And because the cut is all about an off-kilter feel, natural texture only lends to the structure. — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 4 July 2026 The way Adult Swim’s slate of low-fi, off-kilter programming managed to interrupt the monotony of 2000s cable TV, Friedland’s show follows a familiar format while subtly contorting it. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 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
  • But Ecuadorian authorities have remained mostly silent about the bizarre incidents.
    — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Bobby’s color palette is bizarre, and her idea of a sash that transforms into a shawl scarf is really cool but executed poorly.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • Engineers maintained extremely gentle gradients across long distances while using tunnels, channels, and arched bridges to cross uneven terrain.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Both players have been uneven throughout training camp, but Klubnik is the frontrunner to win the job and was the better player against the Buccaneers.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • The explanation behind this family man’s strange case is well chronicled in many Chicago and New York news stories.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Symptoms include anxiety, hypervigilance, confusion and mania, and taking on activities that might be considered strange.
    — Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • But analysts say risks to oil prices remain tilted to the upside.
    — , CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of tilted
Adjective
  • But Fried’s thought is far too varied and weird—closer to Manny Farber’s than Clement Greenberg’s—to permit dogmatic religiosity for long.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The power did something weird, and the lights kind of exploded almost.
    — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • The rule also failed to tackle all of the ways trusts and other vehicles provide impenetrable secrecy for the wealthy and the crooked alike.
    — Casey Michel, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In Salinger’s narrative, Pencey is plagued by a population of troubled youth, crooked teachers, and spoiled rich kids, a mixture that often begat abuse.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of crooked
Adjective
  • Sarcasm is an interesting thing because it can be viewed by some people as funny and other people as hurtful.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • A little bit funny, a lot cheesy and completely, unabashedly earnest, her Liz is — like moms everywhere — at once a perfectly ordinary woman and the center of the universe.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • There was the oblique strain in early April that sidelined him for more than a month.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Other sustaining injuries were linebacker Nick Martin (stinger) and safety Marques Sigle (oblique); cornerback Nate Hobbs did not play because of a groin injury that will keep him out this preseason.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 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 19 Aug. 2026.

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