erratic

adjective

i-ˈra-tik How to pronounce erratic (audio)
Definition of erraticnext
1
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern so far your effort to land a summer job has been very erratic

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence because of your erratic attendance at practice, you're in danger of being cut from the team

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in changing
not staying constant business at the fast-food restaurant has been so erratic lately that the manager never knows how much staff to have on hand

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4
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion the animal's erratic behavior made her wonder if it was ill

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word erratic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of erratic are eccentric, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is eccentric a more appropriate choice than erratic?

The words eccentric and erratic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When can odd be used instead of erratic?

The meanings of odd and erratic largely overlap; however, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When could outlandish be used to replace erratic?

The words outlandish and erratic can be used in similar contexts, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

Where would peculiar be a reasonable alternative to erratic?

Although the words peculiar and erratic have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

In what contexts can quaint take the place of erratic?

While in some cases nearly identical to erratic, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When might singular be a better fit than erratic?

In some situations, the words singular and erratic are roughly equivalent. However, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When would strange be a good substitute for erratic?

While the synonyms strange and erratic are close in meaning, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When is it sensible to use unique instead of erratic?

The synonyms unique and erratic 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 erratic The growth outlook in Asia’s third-largest economy has remained relatively robust, thanks to strong domestic consumption and a relatively lower dependence on exports, cushioning the blow from U.S. President Donald Trump’s erratic trade policy. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 May 2025 As Thomas' behaviors become erratic and increasingly Goofy-like, concerns arise among his colleagues, and his original vision for the film is ultimately scrapped by the company. —James Mercadante, EW.com, 29 May 2025 Trump’s erratic trade war has already unsettled consumers and taken a toll on economic growth — mostly due to American businesses rushing to stock up on imports. —Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 May 2025 Despite navigating supply chain disruptions and consumer spending fluctuations caused by the administration's erratic policy shifts that have whipsawed markets, the company confidently reaffirmed its 2025 guidance—demonstrating remarkable operational discipline in an unpredictable environment. —Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for erratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erratic
  1. random
  2. sporadic
  3. bizarre
  4. occasional
  5. uneven
  6. strange
  7. arbitrary
  8. intermittent
Adjective
  • Avoid long strings of random numbers, special characters or irrelevant details.
    — Nick Zviadadze, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Previous studies landed on either side of the one coin: the formation was random, or that the animals deliberately took up positions that protected vulnerable animals from attack.
    — Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 7 June 2025
Definition of random
Adjective
  • Though the May 31 eruption is the only one caught on official video, the USGS has received several reports of other sporadic eruptions over the past year.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 June 2025
  • My spring crops were slow to develop this year, stifled by sporadic frosts and bouts of dry weather.
    — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Definition of sporadic
Adjective
  • The bizarre blackouts are first explained with a bizarre hit-and-run that shook Larkin months earlier.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 June 2025
  • But much of the discussion after the San Francisco Giants' 5-4 victory centered around a bizarre moment in the fourth inning.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • While a few breeds, such as the Turkish Van, are known to enjoy the occasional swim, the average house cat is famously water-averse.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • Having the occasional treat or missing a workout is okay.
    — Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 June 2025
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • Read More: The Healthiest Way to Clean Your House Check the base of the unit, too: Dirt can settle underneath, making the entire thing uneven, leading to performance issues and major repairs down the road, Drew says.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2025
  • The American game was largely insular, coaching education uneven, and infrastructure limited.
    — Lee Igel, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • After coming to the Mets at the trade deadline, Blackburn had a serious of strange injuries, getting hit by a line drive on his hand, and then suffering from a spinal fluid leak that required surgery.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
  • The dense central region — a strange melding of concentric bubbles and chaotic dusty structures imaged by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope — can also be spotted shining brightly at the heart of the image.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 June 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • State lawmakers can and should repeal the arbitrary two-year rule.
    — Sakinah Tillman, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
  • Guidelines in the Puppy Protection Act would create arbitrary, one-size-fits-all requirements for dog breeding even though dogs are the most diverse species of land mammal, such as: — Mandating two meals daily.
    — Sheila Goffe, Boston Herald, 3 June 2025
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • After intermittent closures last week, the intersection opened and the new signal system turned on Thursday.
    — Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 6 June 2025
  • While the tech industry is also using solar and wind power, their intermittent nature means stable electricity supplies generated by nuclear reactors — but also coal and natural gas — is in high demand.
    — Bloomberg News, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
Definition of intermittent

Browse Nearby Words

errant
erratic
erratically
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Cite this Entry

“Erratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erratic. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on erratic

Nglish: Translation of erratic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about erratic

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