eccentric 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈsen-trik How to pronounce eccentric (audio)
Definition of eccentricnext
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion his eccentric decorating style isn't going over well with the neighbors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

eccentric

2 of 2

noun

as in character
a person of odd or whimsical habits an eccentric who designed his house to look like a Scottish castle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word eccentric distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of eccentric are erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When is erratic a more appropriate choice than eccentric?

While the synonyms erratic and eccentric 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 odd instead of eccentric?

While in some cases nearly identical to eccentric, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

Where would outlandish be a reasonable alternative to eccentric?

Although the words outlandish and eccentric have much in common, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When could peculiar be used to replace eccentric?

The meanings of peculiar and eccentric largely overlap; however, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

In what contexts can quaint take the place of eccentric?

In some situations, the words quaint and eccentric are roughly equivalent. However, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When can singular be used instead of eccentric?

The words singular and eccentric can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When would strange be a good substitute for eccentric?

The words strange and eccentric 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 might unique be a better fit than eccentric?

The synonyms unique and eccentric 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 eccentric
Adjective
With the help of eccentric inventor Doc Brown, he is forced to repair the timeline – and ensure his own future – before returning home. —Olivia Kemp, CNN Money, 4 June 2025 During this lowering—known as the eccentric phase—your glutes, along with your hamstrings, get stretched as your hips push back (a motion known as hip flexion). —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 4 June 2025
Noun
Attracting talent for greater innovation hazards acquiring a few eccentrics whose gifts come wrapped in controversial packaging. —Chip Bell, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 And the neighbors have evolved into a hearty mix of young parents, middle-aged artists and eccentrics, blue-collar lifers, and comfortable retirees. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eccentric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eccentric
  1. bizarre
  2. character
  3. strange
  4. oddball
  5. funny
  6. original
  7. weird
  8. weirdo
Adjective
  • The bizarre blackouts are first explained with a bizarre hit-and-run that shook Larkin months earlier.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 June 2025
  • To some, this may sound bizarre, laughable, or even just plain sad.
    — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
Definition of bizarre
Noun
  • My character is someone who’s been without his best friend and partner for three years.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 8 June 2025
  • But new life and civilizations await, including a villain that will test our characters' grit and resolve.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 8 June 2025
Definition of character
Adjective
  • The Dominican Republic had a moment of its own to celebrate in the 51st minute, though its first-ever Gold Cup goal came in strange circumstances.
    — Jon Arnold, New York Times, 15 June 2025
  • That made eating food feel physically overwhelming, which has been one of the stranger parts of his experience.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 14 June 2025
Definition of strange
Noun
  • Addressing the project’s oddball format, which is part mockumentary, part documentary and includes footage from the fake Slanted!
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 4 June 2025
  • These five projects — a combination of celebrity portraits, true-crime thrillers and oddball sagas — suggest the breadth of HBO Documentary Films’ strategy for an art form that has blossomed on the small screen.
    — Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Definition of oddball
Adjective
  • From funny reactions to adorable giggles, see some of the best moments from Thursday's big game Comments Taylor Swift is back in her sporty era!
    — Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 13 June 2025
  • Roman is my kind of Virgil—chatty, funny, forgiving, sharp.
    — Marina Harss, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Definition of funny
Noun
  • The sequel moves away from the pixelated look of the original as the developers have shifted to polygons for a more beautiful world.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
  • Like the 1929 original, the A50 Junior is a thing of true beauty, both in the air and on the ground.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
Definition of original
Adjective
  • More Getty Images Adam Scott's weird practice round revealed As Scott prepares for the final showdown, a viral video has added much more interest in his golf swing.
    — Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • Plus there are the weird noises coming from a locked backroom upstairs.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2025
Definition of weird
Noun
  • An exclusive group of evolutionary weirdos Only a handful of organisms are known to form collective assemblages for the purpose of dispersing, similar to the nematode towers.
    — Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
  • Unless your dad was a soccer guy, in which case: Congratulations on being an insufferable weirdo.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of weirdo

Browse Nearby Words

ebullitions
eccentric
eccentricities
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Eccentric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eccentric. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on eccentric

Nglish: Translation of eccentric for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All