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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 So having this sort of erratic personality is probably a more damaging brand attribute than helping the government try to save money on federal employees. A Martínez, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025 At that point, the quartet was adjusting to life after Syd Barrett, the frontman whose songs had positioned his group as one of England’s preeminent psychedelic bands before his erratic behavior prompted Pink Floyd to fire him. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025 Screen time can result in overstimulation and a lack of human interaction, which leads to attention issues and erratic behavior. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025 In the year before she was killed, Mary had called BSO 14 times regarding Nathan’s threats and increasingly erratic behavior, according to a log of BSO calls that the Herald reviewed. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for erratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erratic
Adjective
  • Her old boss Raymond King (J.K. Simmons), someone Chris had helped, was shot dead in LA and left a wall of random evidence involving a broken family, human trafficking and global assassinations.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The company, which started in 2015 and sells itself as a meal kit service, is actually closer to an online grocery store than a place that’s going to send you half an onion wrapped in plastic and a tiny baggy of cumin to make some so-so black bean tacos or a random stir fry.
    Carina Finn, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the absence of The Rock—the catalyst of this entire turn—throughout the entire build of WrestleMania, mixed with the sporadic appearances from Cena, hurt the storytelling of what could have been a deeply complex villain.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Justin Turner has been among those helping Workman navigate his first experience with life in the big leagues and sporadic playing time.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The gay man who was involved in Rep. Nancy Mace’s viral meltdown at an Ulta Beauty store is speaking out about the bizarre incident.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 22 Apr. 2025
  • Even more bizarre was the depth the starlight's dip changed with every transit.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The house that the Americans strategically position themselves in is home to two families; there are occasional insert shots of family photos and trinkets, and at several points these families are shown cowering, terrified by what’s happening around them.
    Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Burnout goes beyond the occasional tough day at work.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But with the addition of meaty tires, the result is bobbling side to side on uneven pavement, and the occasional entertaining hop over water channels at boulevard intersections.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The formula combines powerful but gentle ingredients like tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide to tackle dark spots, acne scars, and uneven tone.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These stores typically feature eclectic collections of oddities, collectibles, curiosities, and decorative items that appeal to collectors and enthusiasts of the strange and unique.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
  • If some readers were befuddled by Mr. Holland’s strange and magical imagery, graphic artists were entranced.
    Penelope Green, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In short, protectionism grants states too much arbitrary power to intervene in the market and thus spawns more platforms for the exchange of political favors.
    JAVIER CORRALES, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Most times, these changes are a result of the over-analysis of some arbitrary KPIs meant to gauge the health and growth of the platform.
    Solo Ceesay, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The pair are searching for the source of a particular beep: the intermittent ping that a smoke alarm makes when its battery is running low.
    Kirk Johnson, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Based on the research, participants lost about 7 to 11 pounds over 10 weeks while intermittent fasting.18 Remember, fad diets are not healthy for you, especially long term.
    Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Erratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erratic. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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