1
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion
he's nice enough, but there's something a little off-kilter about him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneven
inclined or twisted to one side
to me, the painting on the wall looks a little off-kilter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 off-kilter
What often gets lost in the commotion is the fact that SXSW is also a robust hub for small, off-kilter indies that struggle to stand out when Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt are staging a mini-parade at a headline-making premiere.
—
Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
While much of the show was scripted, Lowe was also allowed to ad-lib, which further helped solidify the show’s off-kilter, edgy sense of humor.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
Read on to learn how to tell what’s throwing things off-kilter down there, how to find relief, and why you might be stuck playing this unfortunate guessing game on repeat.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 27 Feb. 2025
In lieu of a digestible arc, the reader gets a peek inside the head of de Chirico, whose off-kilter paintings of empty city squares in the early 20th century would go on to strongly influence the Surrealists.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-kilter
Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
While much of the show was scripted, Lowe was also allowed to ad-lib, which further helped solidify the show’s off-kilter, edgy sense of humor.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
Read on to learn how to tell what’s throwing things off-kilter down there, how to find relief, and why you might be stuck playing this unfortunate guessing game on repeat.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 27 Feb. 2025
In lieu of a digestible arc, the reader gets a peek inside the head of de Chirico, whose off-kilter paintings of empty city squares in the early 20th century would go on to strongly influence the Surrealists.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-kilter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-kilter
Adjective
-
Even more bizarre was the depth the starlight's dip changed with every transit.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
The two men had worked together for years, selling everything from colon cleanses to get-rich-quick advice, before pivoting to crypto with uneven results.—
Eric Lipton,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
An even newer device, an electronic screener or balance board, measures foot movements as the patient tries to balance themselves on an uneven surface with their eyes open, and then closed.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Bengals added Fairchild in the third, so adding another lineman while there were more pressing needs is strange, especially a raw lineman like Rivers.—
Mark Weinstein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Moses’s book eddies around with the energy of someone reporting back from a very long and strange evening clicking through Wikipedia links, enjoying every chance to add a tangent.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
It’s been a weird year for some of the league’s best closers.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
On the other hand, this three-month gap is a little weird.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Evans' latest film, Havoc, stars Tom Hardy as Walker, an unsavory fixer tasked with protecting the son of real estate tycoon Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker) after the kid stumbles into a plot involving the Yakuza, crooked cops, and other assorted goons.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Rooker plays Steve, a crooked detective with a ruthless streak who holds the key to Hammer’s only weakness.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
What’s funny about that is that Alexander appears to have some Leonard Williams to his game.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
What started out curious is going to curiouser — funny, violent and wild.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Brantly, who is going on the injured list, had been promoted two weeks ago to replace starting catcher Nick Fortes, who was placed on the injured list April 10 with a left oblique strain.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Second baseman Jeff McNeil (oblique strain) will play back-to-back games in Binghamton this weekend, and the team will evaluate his status Monday.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Held in the odd year after the presidential election since 1869, Virginia’s gubernatorial race is a cyclical scorecard for voters’ moods and the issues at the forefront of the national consciousness.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
-
At first glance, these pieces seem to appear odd, with crooked teeth and protruding eyeballs.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Off-kilter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-kilter. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share