eccentric 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈsen-trik How to pronounce eccentric (audio)
Definition of eccentricnext
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion his eccentric decorating style isn't going over well with the neighbors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

eccentric

2 of 2

noun

as in character
a person of odd or whimsical habits an eccentric who designed his house to look like a Scottish castle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word eccentric distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of eccentric are erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When is erratic a more appropriate choice than eccentric?

While the synonyms erratic and eccentric are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is it sensible to use odd instead of eccentric?

While in some cases nearly identical to eccentric, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

Where would outlandish be a reasonable alternative to eccentric?

Although the words outlandish and eccentric have much in common, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When could peculiar be used to replace eccentric?

The meanings of peculiar and eccentric largely overlap; however, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

In what contexts can quaint take the place of eccentric?

In some situations, the words quaint and eccentric are roughly equivalent. However, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When can singular be used instead of eccentric?

The words singular and eccentric can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When would strange be a good substitute for eccentric?

The words strange and eccentric are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When might unique be a better fit than eccentric?

The synonyms unique and eccentric 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 eccentric
Adjective
This 323-Square-Foot Home Is Meant to Look Like a Luxury Hotel By Nicolas Milon Looking to give a traditional-style space a more eccentric twist? —Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2025 The show is an eccentric wallow through the morgue of history. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
Taught by a new-agey eccentric (Gaby Hoffman, elevating a stereotypical part), the class introduces Lauren to aspiring young actors from all walks of life. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025 The Jones could abide eccentrics and cranks. —Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eccentric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eccentric
  1. bizarre
  2. character
  3. strange
  4. oddball
  5. funny
  6. original
  7. weird
  8. weirdo
Adjective
  • The presentation starts with teaching the compliment sandwich technique, but quickly goes off the rails as the participants ask more bizarre questions.
    — Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Heti’s writing is witty, reflective, and just bizarre enough to capture your interest even as people mill about in your peripheral vision.
    — Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
Definition of bizarre
Noun
  • The show, replete with flower-power aesthetics and a raunchy sensibility, showed off Buzzi's knack for physical comedy above the neck, her characters often contorting their faces for the sake of caricature.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • Reed, whose character Rosalie Cullen had blonde hair, dyed her natural locks for Twilight, but opted for a wig in the subsequent four films.
    — Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 May 2025
Definition of character
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
Definition of strange
Noun
  • The oddball weapon is a signal jammer designed to take down drones in war zones and was likely used to neutralize the van vault’s silent alarm so the thief could make off with what Kasie (Diona Reasonover) estimates is a million dollars.
    — Sara Netzley, EW.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Photo: Alfama Films No one writes dialogue like Cronenberg — perplexing alien dialogue, a sci-fi tongue of oddball terminology and metaphysical shop talk.
    — A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of oddball
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
  • Not lying and not funny, but not to be ignored either.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of funny
Noun
  • Ryan Coogler Is the ‘Perfect Person’ to Direct the ‘X-Files’ Reboot Derricks, producer Dhana Gilbert, production designer Bill Groom, and Sherman-Palladino took IndieWire inside the process of restaging the classics and creating Tobias’ cutting-edge originals.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The new show will revisit the iconic suburban setting that helped turn the original into a cultural phenomenon during its 2004–2012 run on ABC.
    — Jenna deJong, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Definition of original
Adjective
  • On the other hand, this three-month gap is a little weird.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • It’s been a weird year for some of the league’s best closers.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of weird
Noun
  • But in all seriousness, that’s to say, P-town has long been the summertime hot spot for weirdos and (yes, largely cis) gay revelry on the very tip of Cape Cod.
    — JD Shadel, Them., 21 Apr. 2025
  • Three-time Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan is its heart, providing a grounding presence between the grumpy musician and lovable weirdo.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of weirdo

Browse Nearby Words

ebullitions
eccentric
eccentricities
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Cite this Entry

“Eccentric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eccentric. Accessed 10 May. 2025.

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