erratic

[ih-rat-ik] / ɪˈræt ɪk /

ADJECTIVE

unpredictable; wandering

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abnormal arbitrary bizarre capricious eccentric inconsistent irregular mercurial uncertain unreliable unstable unusual volatile wayward weird whimsical

WEAK

aberrant anomalous changeable desultory devious dicey directionless dubious fitful flaky fluctuant idiosyncratic iffy incalculable inconstant meandering nomadic oddball peculiar planetary rambling roving shifting spasmodic strange stray undirected unnatural vagarious variable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm common normal reasonable regular sensible stable standard steadfast steady unchanging usual

WEAK

certain consistent definite dependable predictable reliable sure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Both rates rose in the month, and both groups have seen more erratic employment trends this year.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

The court heard that Parker's behaviour had become "erratic" and he refused repeated attempts by his mother and sister to persuade him to get mental health support.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

The jobs report has been up and down lately — some economists would say erratic — and it’s hard to find a major improvement in hiring trends.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

Oil and gas prices have been so erratic lately that the time-honored roller-coaster metaphor now looks sedate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

“Yes. You are descendant of a great people,” she continued, pulling my attention away from my wild, erratic thoughts and making me focus on the situation at hand.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Vocabulary lists containing erratic

To Kill a Mockingbird

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List 1

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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 1–6

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