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
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Recent Examples of off-kilter
Later in the quarter, with the Lakers trailing 109-107, Rui Hachimura collected an off-kilter pass from Doncic with one hand.
—
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 19 Mar. 2026
Everything about that show was surreal and off-kilter.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Classic shapes like a neat overcoat, or prim skirt arrived in off-kilter colors and patterns.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
When the control room programmed the flight deck to re-create full turbulence, the steady waves suddenly turned chaotic, off-kilter, completely unpredictable.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for off-kilter
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 19 Mar. 2026
Everything about that show was surreal and off-kilter.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Classic shapes like a neat overcoat, or prim skirt arrived in off-kilter colors and patterns.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
When the control room programmed the flight deck to re-create full turbulence, the steady waves suddenly turned chaotic, off-kilter, completely unpredictable.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for off-kilter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-kilter
Adjective
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Esther said that Kim was upset about McCormick's bizarre behavior.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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The Sharks allowed second-period goals to Marco Rossi — on a bizarre play –– and Jake DeBrusk on a Canucks power play as the two teams entered the third period tied 2-2.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As an over-the-counter retinoid, retinol helps accelerate skin cell turnover, which can visibly improve uneven texture, fine lines, and discoloration over time.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
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But the improvements were short-lived as rates rose significantly in March, driven by a series of uneven economic reports and a spike in geopolitical tensions and overseas conflicts.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Still, scrolling through TMZ’s posts of congresspeople instills a strange rush of Schadenfreude.—
Paula Mejía,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
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This is one of the stranger ironies — liberal politicians, often skeptical of market forces, become true believers in rosy stock market projections that will render new commitments affordable.—
Daniel DiSalvo,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Escalade also offers a large head up display and a tilted control panel to provide quick access to climate and other functions.—
Scotty Reiss,
Parents,
24 Feb. 2026
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Naturally, Uranus' tilted rotation has a part to play in how auroral activity manifests on the planet.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As the Pios regained traction, something weird happened.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
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The Midnight Show’s original cast breakout star Lillian Martin, whose career was cut tragically short in her mid-twenties, was the queen of the wacky and weird.—
Lee Kelly,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Mahle had a very rough first inning, allowing four hits and issuing two walks, but escaped the frame having only allowed two runs despite the Mets having opportunities to put up a crooked number.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Debuting them in a brief, awkward first flight, like a firework that shoots crooked after being in storage too long.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Levy arcs his character’s growing exasperation in a way that’s funny, if somewhat limited.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
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Deborah and Ava get to develop while their process, for the most part, remains the same — and remains funny.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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There was plenty of chatter about keeping an eye on the Lakers as a potential sleeper team in the West before Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) went down with injuries this month.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Smith, a former first-round draft pick in 2023, could provide the Lakers with an extra ball handler off the bench to spell Marcus Smart and Kennard with Doncic (hamstring) and Reaves (oblique) almost certainly out for the start of the postseason.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Off-kilter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-kilter. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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