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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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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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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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 Just behind him, the erratic energy of Pinky, played by Clifton Powell, engulfs the room. —Noel Ransome, Essence, 13 Feb. 2025 At the same time, Gascón’s erratic drive to have her name cleared continues… With a stress on ‘erratic’. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025 Charles Haley sent packing: Haley’s erratic behavior led coach George Seifert to trade the edge rusher to Dallas on Aug. 26, 1992 for second- and third-round draft picks. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025 One of these men is an erratic, impulsive narcissist with a tenuous grasp on reality. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 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
  • Webroot can securely erase files for you, overwriting them with random data three times, by default.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The results derived from a random sampling of 1,004 adults aged 18 and over living in all 50 states, based on phone interviews, with a margin of error plus or minus four percent and with a 95 percent confidence level.
    — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of random
Adjective
  • It’s been pretty sporadic and erratic with a bunch of them.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • In its initial phase, between 1990 and 2005, pirate attacks were sporadic and contained mostly in the Gulf of Aden.
    — Soham Mitra, Lou Robinson and Patrick Gallagher, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Definition of sporadic
Adjective
  • Then there’s The Island, a bizarre addition that blends traditional elements of role playing, live service and online multiplayer games together.
    — Joshua Lamb, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The bizarre incident occurred early Tuesday when authorities say a man hopped a metal fence of a home in the 900 block of Wakefield Avenue and set fire to a black sedan in the front yard.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • When do most of us wear gowns outside of the occasional black tie wedding?
    — Sarah Boyd, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • According to Vasudevan, short-haired breeds typically need brushing once a week and occasional baths, while medium to long-haired breeds, like the golden retriever in the clip, may need brushing a few times a week to prevent tangles.
    — David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • Connecticut transit riders urged lawmakers to bolster funding and services for the state’s local commuter railroads on Wednesday, as ridership continues to experience an uneven rebound from the pandemic.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Two different curling irons — a 1-inch and a 1.5-inch — gave the pro uneven waves for a more natural feel.
    — Jackie Fields, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • People say Yoko’s art is strange and her music is not very good.
    — Natasha Gural, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Many had wondered what her future held with the company and that her acting like nothing had happened was a little strange.
    — David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Eversource is asking the court to overturn a 2023 PURA decision that the company claims was based on an arbitrary application of regulatory law and intended to reach a pre-determined decision to slash its rates.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Many of those firings have prompted lawsuits parallel to Dellinger’s that challenge the legality of Trump bypassing language in statutes, including provisions that protect employees at independent agencies from politicized or arbitrary firings.
    — Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • The intermittent reward of finding something new and interesting does not allow the brain to relax and get ready to sleep.
    — Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025
  • After the know-nothing county board opts to raze the baseball diamond to make way for a school, the teams meet for one final game at their beloved Soldier’s Field, with girlfriends, kids, and local hooligans as intermittent spectators.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of intermittent

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Cite this Entry

“Erratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erratic. Accessed 12 Mar. 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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