as in eccentrics
a person of odd or whimsical habits
she's known as the office oddball
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Recent Examples of oddballs
Then there are oddballs – traction control – pretty rare in this class, alongside ABS, and a belt drive.
—
New Atlas, 11 May 2026
But the scenes she’s devised for these sympathetically difficult oddballs go nowhere.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
All the sun’s planets are oddballs.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2026
Those crazy, diverse individuals, that tribe of oddballs and eccentrics, dreamers, and gamblers who make up this business.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The first of these—a cult favorite among writers, particularly youngish women writers—put Lemann on the map as a singular stylist, capable of crystalline insights into the miscreants and oddballs of the American South and great bursts of unrestrained sentiment.
—Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
The Sun Belt is the only real exception, having now defined itself as FBS’ actual Southeastern conference, partly by losing its former oddballs like Idaho and New Mexico State.
—Jason Kirk, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Jack and Rose are oddballs, neither fitting into their respective societal slots.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026
At that time, writers such as Angela Carter or Kathy Acker were oddballs.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
New Atlas, 11 May 2026
But the scenes she’s devised for these sympathetically difficult oddballs go nowhere.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
All the sun’s planets are oddballs.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2026
Those crazy, diverse individuals, that tribe of oddballs and eccentrics, dreamers, and gamblers who make up this business.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The first of these—a cult favorite among writers, particularly youngish women writers—put Lemann on the map as a singular stylist, capable of crystalline insights into the miscreants and oddballs of the American South and great bursts of unrestrained sentiment.
—Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
The Sun Belt is the only real exception, having now defined itself as FBS’ actual Southeastern conference, partly by losing its former oddballs like Idaho and New Mexico State.
—Jason Kirk, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Jack and Rose are oddballs, neither fitting into their respective societal slots.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026
At that time, writers such as Angela Carter or Kathy Acker were oddballs.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oddballs
Noun
-
But what the New Yorker writer left behind is some of the finest prose of the 20th century, focusing primarily on the eccentrics, scalawags, seamen, and other denizens of New York’s dank corners.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
2 May 2026
-
The town’s overflowing with charming Midwest eccentrics, including a cocky mayor (Henry Winkler) and a welcoming barkeep (Lena Headey).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If the holes appear shallow, then they could be made by squirrels, looking for places to store nuts, or by skunks and raccoons, digging for grubs.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
-
Some foods - like whole grains, kale, nuts and seeds - are good sources of insoluble fiber, which helps keep digestion moving.—
Maria Godoy,
NPR,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oddballs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oddballs. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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