off-kilter

adjective

off-kil·​ter ˈȯf-ˈkil-tər How to pronounce off-kilter (audio)
Synonyms of off-kilternext
1
: not in perfect balance : a bit askew
off-kilter camera angles
His hat was slightly off-kilter.
2
: eccentric, unconventional
off-kilter characters
an off-kilter approach

Synonyms of off-kilter

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Examples of off-kilter in a Sentence

he's nice enough, but there's something a little off-kilter about him to me, the painting on the wall looks a little off-kilter
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Other highlights included Trucker jackets with balloon-like shapes, jeans with off-kilter closures, ankle ties and convertible pant/short constructions. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 Its warped vocal harmonies are ripe and sour, including guest appearances from the band’s friends, and off-kilter squiggles on steel guitar deviate from their usual pattern. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026 The time- traveling, science-fiction elements along with Vonnegut’s typical off-kilter style work against the odds to make this—along with its brother-in-arms, Heller’s Catch-22—one of the most powerful novels about World War II. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Oct. 2026 The Gem is the fourth album from the pleasingly off-kilter Australian singer-songwriter whose songs hit like good stories. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for off-kilter

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-kilter was in 1929

Rhymes for off-kilter

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Browse Nearby Words

off-key
off-kilter
off-label
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Off-kilter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-kilter. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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