off-the-wall

adjective

ˈȯf-ṯẖə-ˈwȯl How to pronounce off-the-wall (audio)
Definition of off-the-wallnext
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion she does have some off-the-wall suggestions about home decorating

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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-the-wall Follow Joe for ongoing features about ecotourism as well as off-the-wall travel destinations around the globe. — Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 4 May 2026 What’s your favorite off-the-wall rendition of a birthday anthem? — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 24 Apr. 2026 This was not a year for major turmoil in March or crazy off-the-wall selections by the committee. — Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026 That is just off-the-wall, to see a frozen lake and then a tornado ripping the ice up. — Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for off-the-wall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-the-wall
  1. bizarre
  2. funny
  3. strange
  4. weird
  5. odd
  6. peculiar
  7. curious
  8. erratic
Adjective
  • Years earlier at her former lab in Ohio, chromosomes in mouse eggs and embryos began dividing in bizarre ways, creating the kinds of genetic errors that can lead to Down syndrome and other chromosomal disorders.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Her videos were outrageous and conspiratorial, and the more elaborate and bizarre her stories became, the more people online were drawn to her.
    — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of bizarre
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
  • Investigators later ruled out trains and power lines as possible causes — and traced the fire’s point of origin to the same spot Child witnessed the man’s strange behavior.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • And Dad actually makes an uncredited vocal cameo on one of the album’s more blessedly strange tracks.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • The city’s street style continues to champion weird-but-it-works combinations over predictable formulas, and individuality above all else.
    — Kelsey Stewart, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The vibes are awkward all around, and things only get weirder when Emira pulls Georgia aside to chat.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • This may seem like an odd one, but this Springsugar hair set comes with three combs, a hair wax stick, and a finishing stick.
    — Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The instruments and rhythms dance with Lenae’s sinuous vocals, nudging her into odd pockets, uplifting her notes.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of odd
Adjective
  • There’s a peculiar feedback loop humming around To Catch a Predator right now.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But the story neatly captures the peculiar limbo of Housewifery — edging ever closer to fame and acceptance, but always one velvet rope short of both.
    — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of peculiar
Adjective
  • Whether Belmira intended it or not, the enjoyable exercise left me curious to experience more, and perhaps, one day, make it there myself.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The morbidly curious Sperm Whale and Giant Squid Diorama is a startling depiction of one of nature’s most mysterious predator-prey relationships.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of curious
Adjective
  • Crews were clearing vegetation to help slow the fire’s spread as officials warned that thunderstorms could bring erratic winds and increase fire activity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • My treatment brought me back to myself, and the medication stopped my erratic behavior.
    — Ayana Lage, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of erratic

Browse Nearby Words

off-the-shelf
off-the-wall
of late
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Off-the-wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-the-wall. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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