erratic

adjective

i-ˈra-tik How to pronounce erratic (audio)
Definition of erraticnext
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

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 For the past two seasons, Gabriel Jesus’s erratic fitness has left a gaping hole in the forward line that has never been convincingly filled. —Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025 Tate is erratic, manipulative, and obsessed with dominance. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025 These large waves can be erratic and unpredictable. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025 The two-track body of work boasts snakey slithering synths, explosive drops, effervescent sounds, hard-hitting tunes, hypnotic soundscapes and erratic beats that build up into a crescendo followed by techno designed to ignite the dance floor. —Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for erratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erratic
  1. random
  2. sporadic
  3. bizarre
  4. occasional
  5. uneven
  6. strange
  7. arbitrary
  8. intermittent
Adjective
  • Those who fail random tests are required to enter a ‘return to work’ program, which includes passing a drug test to have their license reinstated.
    — Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • 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, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of random
Adjective
  • During her active years with WWE, which spanned from 2006 to her initial departure in 2012 and included subsequent sporadic returns for special appearances, Kelly Kelly achieved a significant milestone by capturing the WWE Divas Championship.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • These societies could survive without the sporadic acquisition of meat, anthropologists note.
    — Amanda Ruggeri, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of sporadic
Adjective
  • The bizarre purchase was revealed last year by the former Lakers player, and the topic was recently brought up during the season 6 finale of The Kardashians.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Weezer has not canceled its plans to perform at Coachella this Saturday (April 12) after the wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner sustained non-life-threatening injuries during a bizarre run-in with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers that ended in a dramatic shootout.
    — Dave Brooks, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • The show is thrilling as a sensory experience, humming with sinister percussive beats and the occasional muffled animal squawk in the distance.
    — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Initially, MacGregor's character was supposed to make only occasional appearances, but she was promoted to series regular after her performance was so well-received.
    — Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • But also undeniable is the Heat receiving tangible depth from the Plan B trade with Butler, depth that arguably had previously been lacking amid the uneven seasons of Terry Rozier and Jaime Jaquez Jr., as well as depth compromised by the broken hand of Nikola Jovic.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
  • After running out of steam with the uneven 1992 sister albums Lucky Town and Human Touch, Springsteen spent most of the decade raising his kids and tentatively circling a reunion with the E Street Band while searching for new directions.
    — Ryan Leas, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • The unique role required a performer who could pass as young as age 7 and as old as 22 — a strange consequence of the real case that inspired the series.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
  • To make the picture even stranger, the backseat door of the car is open and another backseat passenger’s leg is just barely visible.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • What follows is a twisted examination of motherhood and the arbitrary expectations of adulthood.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
  • This is less sound economic policymaking than the arbitrary dispersal of favors.
    — David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Biohacking is a fancy term for lifestyle modifications that include cutting down on alcohol or coffee, incorporating intermittent fasting and strapping on devices that monitor body functions.
    — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • To contribute positively socially by growing edible food for the community and being an intermittent space for community gathering, creating useful things and being a useful space.
    — Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of intermittent

Browse Nearby Words

errant
erratic
erratically
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Erratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erratic. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on erratic

Nglish: Translation of erratic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about erratic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All