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 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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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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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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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 Most people Leslie and Charlie knew said the couple made an odd match. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026 For odd corners or obstacles, the tiles can even be trimmed with a jigsaw to fit right in. — Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2026 In last November’s constitutional amendment election, the county downsized the number of polling locations, citing cost reductions and low turnout in odd year elections. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026 The singer songwriter's fascination with dentition predates the odd request. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for odd

Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd

Adjective

France added a two-run single later in the inning before capping the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
On the pitch, Haaland scored seven goals from 18 shots for a 39% conversion rate, the best at a single World Cup among players taking at least 15 shots since Gary Lineker converted 40% in 1986.

— Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of single

Adjective

Ultimately, both sides are jockeying for power after the war, given the unusual uncertainty brought on by the change in the supreme leadership.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Some reported magnetic order, unusual Hall effects, and efficient spin-charge conversion, while others found no evidence of magnetism in bulk crystals or relaxed thin films.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

Severe deficiency is uncommon, but nutrition experts say chronically low intake can signal a dietary gap worth addressing.

— Lauren Manaker MS, Health, 31 July 2026
Cases of rabies in pets, such as horses, dogs and cats, are uncommon because many pet owners vaccinate their animals against rabies, according to the California Department of Public Health.

— Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

Artificial intelligence, continual technological advances, evolving workforce expectations, economic uncertainty and increasing complexity have transformed change from an occasional event into the operating environment.

— Tony Gambill, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Researchers plan to test whether shorter, occasional naps have different effects on the brain over time compared with longer, more frequent ones.

— Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026

Definition of occasional

Adjective

While maximalist trends often signify that louder pieces are the only way to look fashion-forward, bold styles are ultimately fickle and harder to reinvent in new looks.

— Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026
Mitchell Evans, offensive lineman Robert Hunt, and offensive lineman Damien Lewis were the only ones on the team’s training camp roster who didn’t practice Friday.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of only

Adjective

Whatever ends up coming for Alpha, with their TV fragmented into a billion tiny screens, it’s bound to be bizarre.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
Former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader's San Francisco Giants season has ended prematurely due to a bizarre scooter accident.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

The challenge before us is serious, but the promise of American higher education remains extraordinary.

— Daniel Diermeier, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Today’s leading model will eventually be replaced, and capabilities that seem extraordinary now will become familiar.

— Brent Saunders, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Cite this Entry

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“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of odd

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