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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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 The series is decorated with odd little touches and ideas, not necessarily explained. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Its back alleys are still pedestrian-only (although the odd motorbike roars past) and maintain their charm. — Tony Perrottet, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 This might seem odd, but some Chiefs players were cheering for the officials on Monday night. — Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026 The fact that there are competing reports is at a minimum an odd situation. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for odd

Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd

Adjective

The small army at Kostabi World turned out images of featureless characters moving through strange, otherworldly scenes, caught between intimacy, alienation, and the discomfort of contemporary life.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
The first bit of growth might be especially strange-looking, says Sutcliffe.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

Atomic hydrogen’s unusual reactivity could potentially be useful in other areas of organic chemistry and, over the longer term, biological sciences.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
The unusual diversion also led to discussion among travelers online, some of whom shared their own experiences with restroom problems aboard flights.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

The 1997 Disney movie Hercules mixed Roman and Greek names, helping propagate this and other inaccuracies (not uncommon in Hollywood’s depictions of ancient Greece).

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
This is not uncommon — women make up 4% of laureates since the award’s inception, though that has inched up to 12% in the past decade.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

At the very top of the market, only 1% of collectors bought a single work priced above $1 million in 2025 and the first half of 2026, and Gen Z accounted for nearly half of them.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
In the first of two nights there Monday, Williams performed for almost exactly two hours without doing a single Paramore song — and what’s remarkable is, nobody cared.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of single

Adjective

Creating a licensing body is not a bizarre idea in a world where the FAA determines the airworthiness of planes and banks must pass stress tests to operate.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
From bizarre medical tests to a mass phobia of beans, here are 14 surprising facts that reveal just how inventive, eccentric, and fascinating the ancient Greeks really were.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

Alongside Parton’s thousands of remarkable songs, the singer’s extraordinary life and career reached beyond music.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026
Hill’s departure marks the end of an extraordinary run in one of heavy metal’s defining bands.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

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“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of odd

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