Definition of oddnext
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as in single
being one of a pair or set without a corresponding mate somehow, there's always at least one odd sock that comes out of the dryer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word odd distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of odd are eccentric, erratic, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When can eccentric be used instead of odd?

The words eccentric and odd can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When would erratic be a good substitute for odd?

While the synonyms erratic and odd 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 outlandish instead of odd?

In some situations, the words outlandish and odd are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is peculiar a more appropriate choice than odd?

While in some cases nearly identical to odd, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When might quaint be a better fit than odd?

Although the words quaint and odd have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to odd?

The meanings of singular and odd largely overlap; however, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can strange take the place of odd?

The words strange and odd 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 could unique be used to replace odd?

The synonyms unique and odd 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 odd In the following chapters of Quand j’étais photographe, Nadar plays on the rhetorical and material slipperiness of invention to craft a curious portrait of photography’s first fifty-odd years. Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026 The subjects reported more odd experiences in places rumored to be haunted, regardless of whether the subjects were aware of those rumors or not. ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026 The odd behavior tipped off Bowen of the storm to come. Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026 The odd-man out will be Reynaldo López, who will temporarily be sent to the bullpen. Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for odd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
Adjective
  • Chess can seem abstruse and forbidding to the uninitiated, but Himelfarb’s account of it is as readable and comprehensible as any more familiar sports story—or, for that matter, any narrative in which a bunch of ambitious people pursue a single goal.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Nuñez completed a four-RBI day with a two-run single.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The truck had been at the head of a column of seven rescue vehicles, all of which had received clearance from the tower to cross Runway 4 at Taxiway D and head toward a United Airlines flight that was evacuating due to a strange odor onboard.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
  • On World Rhythms, Lockwood trusts the listener to hear the arc of its noises, to trace their emergence and disappearance, their strange, seductive confluence.
    Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Wednesday’s game, in particular, ended in extremely bizarre fashion with Xavier Edwards turning an unusual unassisted double play with the bases loaded and Freddie Freeman at the plate.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • In an unusual development, the bank published a range of forecasts given the geopolitical uncertainties.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Now, those stories are far more uncommon.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Power surges are not uncommon; that's why many homes and devices come equipped with surge protection to help protect your appliances and electronics.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • According to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth/Dallas, showers and occasional storms will mainly affect Central Texas and the western portions of North Texas on Thursday, April 30.
    Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
  • However, dark chocolate is high in sugar and calories, so it should be eaten in moderation as an occasional treat.
    Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Cleveland is the only team favored to close out its series while Detroit and Houston are favored to force Game 7s.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • From Nasser to Khomeini, the region’s revolutionary ideologies have delivered only ruin.
    Danielle Pletka, Washington Post, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • Upset over a bizarre technical foul in Game 2, Booker unloaded on the refs, particularly James Williams.
    Doug Haller, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The New York Giants had a completely bizarre draft on Thursday – one that even left star wide receiver Malik Nabers visibly frustrated during his own simulcast with Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons.
    Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Her appointment was agreed at an extraordinary meeting Monday of the festival’s executive board, made up of San Sebastián City Council, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, the Basque Government and the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
  • And yet many were created with extraordinary artistic ambition.
    Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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