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
Others interviewees include Oscar-winning filmmaker Taylor Hackford, actor Lou Diamond Phillips and tireless labor leader Dolores Huerta, an icon in her own right — all sharing their thoughts on Valdez’s offbeat artistic propositions that confronted injustice and the white perception of Chicanos.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
The neighborhood/area One of only three lodges on Cerro Guido, the largest estancia in the area, the lodge has access to all the top activities of Torres (a 15-minute drive away) alongside more offbeat, crowd-free outings to ancient burial sites, Jurassic fossil trails, and working sheep farms.
—Sarah Marshall, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Even in the face of Hollywood’s timidity, some American independent animators have managed to push their offbeat visions through as features made with limited resources.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
In astrology, Aquarius is often celebrated for its eccentricity and offbeat charm.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offbeat
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
The neighborhood/area One of only three lodges on Cerro Guido, the largest estancia in the area, the lodge has access to all the top activities of Torres (a 15-minute drive away) alongside more offbeat, crowd-free outings to ancient burial sites, Jurassic fossil trails, and working sheep farms.
—Sarah Marshall, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Even in the face of Hollywood’s timidity, some American independent animators have managed to push their offbeat visions through as features made with limited resources.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
In astrology, Aquarius is often celebrated for its eccentricity and offbeat charm.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offbeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offbeat
Adjective
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Why would someone dig such a bizarre underground hideout?—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Well, what happened next was pretty bizarre.—
Tom Margenau,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That unusual role for a spy chief raised additional questions from Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees.—
DAVID KLEPPER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
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What was unusual, in Lublin’s view, was for Bessent to reveal his thoughts on monetary policy — normally the purview of the Federal Reserve — and his insistence that Trump has the right to interfere with the decision-making of the central bank.—
Fatima Hussein,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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From the other side of the window the guard is giving me funny kine looks.—
Jasmin 'Iolani Hakes,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
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But history, which has a funny way of repeating itself, suggests otherwise.—
Stephen Mihm,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Ravel also offers 24-hour room service—another feature that’s uncommon on river vessels.—
Janice Wald Henderson,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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Aside from the power of the recovery story and the uncommon wit and frankness of the book, Estefan just has so many hits, recorded over a career that spanned decades, and they’re cleverly slotted into the story.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Nonetheless, Sasaki and Murakami don’t qualify for the strangest request from a new signing in MLB.—
Jordy Fee-Platt,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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As a listening experience, African Skies is a mix of the familiar and the strange.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a weird kind of rigor that results from going through something that many times.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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The Emmy-winning host ended last season with a telethon auctioning off weird memorabilia from previous episodes of the show.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In a media environment burdened by mistrust, the transparency — no matter how absurd — presents an odd kind of sincerity.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Marsee’s inclusion is odd, because he is already entrenched as Miami’s center fielder.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This stylistic approach allows Herbert to expertly avoid inadvertently selling Natchez itself, instead focusing on how this town’s peculiar relationship to an overwhelming past still lives inside those doing the selling.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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As one of the most peculiar sports played at the Winter Olympics, curling is both instantly recognizable and often misunderstood.—
Garrett Chorpenning,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offbeat. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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