1
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion
an offbeat approach to the task, but it gets the job done
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unusual
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced
this writer has an enjoyably offbeat sense of humor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offbeat
How has Fawlty Towers, one of the most offbeat, provincial, inappropriate, and heavily excoriated shows of all time, remained popular for 50 years?
—
Jonathan Margolis, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Its geometry is surprisingly simple, though something about the proportions registers as offbeat.
—Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
A little offbeat color, a textural moment.
—Essence, 18 Sep. 2025
Viral commercials capture her offbeat humor.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offbeat
Jonathan Margolis, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Its geometry is surprisingly simple, though something about the proportions registers as offbeat.
—Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
A little offbeat color, a textural moment.
—Essence, 18 Sep. 2025
Viral commercials capture her offbeat humor.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offbeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offbeat
Adjective
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Tactically, the most notable feature of the final was how regularly the two goalkeepers found themselves in bizarre positions, rushing out to close down attackers in wide areas.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Shortly after the in-person meeting, Kacie bowed out in one of the most bizarre breakups ever shown.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This is not particularly unusual, and in a traditional 4-2-3-1 system, forcing a team down one side is effective.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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The lawsuit is the first to challenge the administration's unusual use of partisan messaging in government communications during the shutdown, which legal experts told NPR may violate federal ethics laws.—
Shannon Bond,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Jonathan was so funny and quick-witted for such a young kid.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
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Having this really intense action scene, and then all of a sudden a joke, a funny moment.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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During this process, scientists look at the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, testing it first in small groups to assess safety, then in larger groups to confirm protection and detect uncommon side effects.—
David Higgins,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
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Side effects are uncommon in healthy people and may include symptoms like gas and bloating.—
Kirstyn Hill,
Health,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Known for their loud personalities, huskies are no stranger to using their voices, but a video of a senior, deaf husky's silent howl is proving that even without sound, the breed still speaks volumes.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Holland also told police about other strange behavior, including an argument while shopping at Wal-Mart, where Overstreet looked at her angrily and pointed at a missing person's picture of Myers posted inside the store.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The weird winning season Derek Anderson The Browns have had four winning seasons since 1999, with three of them (2002, 2020, 2023) leading to the playoffs.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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There is something weird about the audio part of it all.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The scams are odd — but fraudsters can sound incredibly convincing.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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Florida fans can point to a pair of other odd, momentum-killing moments.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Big Red love spreads all across the Lone Star State, but there’s no city that embraces this sweet and slightly peculiar soda quite like San Antonio.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
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At that pre-match press conference, Potter spoke about his appreciation of the board, the need to fix West Ham’s problems together and the rather peculiar viral face-swap trend that involves him.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offbeat. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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