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Synonym Chooser

How is the word erratic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of erratic are eccentric, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is eccentric a more appropriate choice than erratic?

The words eccentric and erratic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When can odd be used instead of erratic?

The meanings of odd and erratic largely overlap; however, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When could outlandish be used to replace erratic?

The words outlandish and erratic can be used in similar contexts, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

Where would peculiar be a reasonable alternative to erratic?

Although the words peculiar and erratic have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

In what contexts can quaint take the place of erratic?

While in some cases nearly identical to erratic, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When might singular be a better fit than erratic?

In some situations, the words singular and erratic are roughly equivalent. However, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When would strange be a good substitute for erratic?

While the synonyms strange and erratic are close in meaning, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When is it sensible to use unique instead of erratic?

The synonyms unique and erratic 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 erratic Flames were pushed by intense wind gusts that officials had warned could fuel any spark into a fast-moving and erratic wildfire. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025 His passing can be erratic and, at both Frankfurt and PSG, Kolo Muani has not actively been involved in build-up play. James McNicholas, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025 And if his first term is any indication, Trump’s erratic management is likely to produce a ballooning national debt and policy incoherence, not a lean and coordinated government. Charles A. Kupchan, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025 Darnold was as erratic as he’s been all season, and the defense was again dominated by the Lions’ balanced attack. Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for erratic 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erratic
Adjective
  • On a random note: Long before those assignments, Chuck was pepper-sprayed covering the disturbances in Miami the morning Elián Gonzalez was whisked away by federal authorities.
    Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The robot learns in a virtual environment, earning higher scores for better stacking performance with random items.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Bird flu viruses typically don’t infect humans, aside from sporadic cases in people who have close contact with infected animals.
    Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Light, sporadic snow will continue in the Denver area through Sunday, forecasters said.
    Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Does that explain his bizarre excursion to allow Arnaut Danjuma to score?
    Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Archaeologists have uncovered a series of bizarre ancient burials in France.
    Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Tom Edge, who has written the bulk of the TV series, and Sue Tully, the show’s longtime director, wisely make no attempt to put those reams of online chatter onscreen, settling for the occasional spoken reference.
    Mike Hale, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Breathe Better Air pollution hides inside our homes, causing health effects ranging from the occasional sneeze to chronic respiratory issues.
    Anna Haines, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Tackle dryness, fine lines, and uneven tone, while supporting your barrier.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The products effectively target signs of aging thanks to powerful formulas that contain ingredients like caffeine, antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin F, and other proprietary blends that smooth uneven skin tone, dullness, and wrinkles.
    Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Their release marks just the latest twist in a long, strange road for both extremist leaders.
    Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Paleontologists have known something strange happened between the end of the Triassic Period and the beginning of the Jurassic for the better part of a century.
    Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Right-wing people choosing to pick on LGBTQ folks was almost arbitrary.
    Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The energy is used not to create goods or services but to solve arbitrary puzzles that sustain speculative networks.
    Eric Solis, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Battery experts would expect the intermittent pulses of charge, which have a higher C-rate than continuous charging models, to age batteries faster than standard procedures do.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Preceded by intermittent spatter fountains earlier in the afternoon, sustained fountaining began from the north vent, feeding multiple lava streams.
    Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near erratic

Cite this Entry

“Erratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erratic. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on erratic

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