ODD Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'odd' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of odd are eccentric , erratic , outlandish , peculiar , quaint , singular , strange , and unique . While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. // an odd sense of humor

Q: When can 'eccentric' be used instead of 'odd'?

The words eccentric and odd can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. // the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Q: When would 'erratic' be a good substitute for 'odd'?

While the synonyms erratic and odd are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. // a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Q: When is it sensible to use 'outlandish' instead of 'odd'?

In some situations, the words outlandish and odd are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. // outlandish fashions of the time

Q: When is 'peculiar' a more appropriate choice than 'odd'?

While in some cases nearly identical to odd , peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. // the peculiar status of America's first lady

Q: When might 'quaint' be a better fit than 'odd'?

Although the words quaint and odd have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. // a quaint fishing village

Q: Where would 'singular' be a reasonable alternative to 'odd'?

The meanings of singular and odd largely overlap; however, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. // a singular feeling of impending disaster

Q: In what contexts can 'strange' take the place of 'odd'?

The words strange and odd are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable. // a journey filled with strange sights

Q: When could 'unique' be used to replace 'odd'?

The synonyms unique and odd are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. // a career unique in the annals of science

odd

adjective

ˈäd

Definition of odd

as in strange

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion odd behavior that prompted one of the waiting passengers to alert airport security

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unusual

being out of the ordinary the only odd grade for the exam was the one perfect score

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as in uncommon

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced the odd occurrences in the area attracted the attention of people interested in psychic phenomena

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as in occasional

not often occurring or repeated with the exception of the odd sick day, he never takes time off from work

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as in single

being one of a pair or set without a corresponding mate somehow, there's always at least one odd sock that comes out of the dryer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word odd distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of odd are eccentric, erratic, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When can eccentric be used instead of odd?

The words eccentric and odd can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When would erratic be a good substitute for odd?

While the synonyms erratic and odd are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of odd?

In some situations, the words outlandish and odd are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is peculiar a more appropriate choice than odd?

While in some cases nearly identical to odd, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When might quaint be a better fit than odd?

Although the words quaint and odd have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to odd?

The meanings of singular and odd largely overlap; however, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can strange take the place of odd?

The words strange and odd are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When could unique be used to replace odd?

The synonyms unique and odd are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

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 odd That was very typical of ChatGPT in 2023 and early 2024 but very odd for Wikipedia articles—and very easy to spot. — Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2026 In an odd twist, the Philippou brothers actually cameo in Sakurai’s film. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are discovered across the planet. — Aspen Pflughoeft, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026 On the other, evidence suggests this pair of habitual time-wasters were commonly found on the floor, running laughter through a Yamaha SPX90 effects processor for kicks and strumming the same note for 40-odd minutes. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for odd

Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd

Adjective

After Orson’s reading from the novel, the broadcast cuts in on a weather report that is then followed by a dance music concert, but the smooth tango music is interrupted by breaking news of strange explosions on Mars.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
However, a strange light phenomenon and the arrival of her physicist ex-husband pull her back into the scientific world.

— Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

And now Great Question will, hopefully CBS News thinks, bring that voice to new places, in a digital expansion that is unusual for an evening news anchor.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
But the book walks the reader through Raichlen’s unusual path to becoming a food writer obsessed with the art of barbecuing.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

Coalition governments are not uncommon in the state, where politicians are fond of saying that pragmatism trumps partisanship.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Single digits—and even colder conditions, especially at elevation on Jackson Hole Mountain—are not uncommon.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

The New Braunfels, Texas, resident kept a frenetic touring schedule, headlining major Texas venues and mid-sized dance halls around the country, with occasional arena or amphitheater stops opening for Koe Wetzel thrown in.

— Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2026
That could make removing space junk a routine service rather than an occasional experiment.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of occasional

Adjective

SpaceX shares jumped nearly 8% on Wednesday, their best single-session performance since August.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
The single-aisle jet, which can have up to 230 seats, was introduced at the Paris Air Show in 2017 to help Boeing compete with rival Airbus.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of single

Adjective

The cookie shops have a rotating menu of cookies with elaborate toppings, sometimes offering bizarre flavors such as everything bagel.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Skerritt co-starred opposite Kathy Baker, playing his doctor wife in the community of Rome, Wisconsin, a place with bizarre happenings, like having a robber leaving a trail of frogs or the pope becoming the primary witness to a murder.

— CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

Some of the rooms are off-limits, but visitors will get to see Duke's extraordinary collection of Islamic art.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
The Portland decision — based in part on data the Department of Justice later admitted was false — prompted an extraordinary filing by Judge Jay Bybee, who all but pleaded with the court to rehear the case and interpret the law differently.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

As the country hurtles toward a pivotal but divisive election, Netflix has done us all a favor by dropping four documentaries about really funny people this month.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
New York is getting roasted for an awkward giveaway T-shirt gaffe, made funnier by the team proudly posting the evidence on social media.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of funny

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“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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