1
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
so far your effort to land a summer job has been very erratic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 erratic
While any showers or thunderstorms will be capable of producing gusty and erratic winds, severe weather is not expected.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
That represented a change from the erratic version of Sasaki that seemingly had no idea where anything was going.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
The cuts would devastate weather and climate research as weather is becoming more erratic, extreme and costly.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Wall Street has been in an erratic yo-yo pattern since Donald Trump announced, held off, implemented, augmented, and paused worldwide tariffs.
—Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for erratic
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
That represented a change from the erratic version of Sasaki that seemingly had no idea where anything was going.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
The cuts would devastate weather and climate research as weather is becoming more erratic, extreme and costly.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Wall Street has been in an erratic yo-yo pattern since Donald Trump announced, held off, implemented, augmented, and paused worldwide tariffs.
—Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 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
-
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 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
-
Milling disk grab ability Milling disks with rough, uneven edges around the milling holes work well for grabbing food during processing.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The bill's ambiguity could lead to uneven policies across the country, meaning some states and municipalities will enforce stricter document requirements than others.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And the misfortune is in our participation in that strange loop.—
Akilah Sailers,
Essence,
28 Apr. 2025
-
The wish is revealing—strange and sad, and haunting in ways the biography cannot quite accommodate.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The plaintiffs had argued that the geographic targeting order was unlawfully issued without undergoing the notice-and-comment procedures prescribed by federal law and that the rule is arbitrary and capricious under federal law.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Erratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erratic. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share