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.

With high noise, their paths became erratic and inefficient.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

Most said they hadn’t met anyone they could marry, since the dating pool is overloaded with men who aren’t interested in marriage, or worse, are erratic or cruel.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

Meanwhile, the 2025 novel “Unfit” by Ariana Harwicz, about a mother losing her children in a custody battle, uses erratic crayon scribbles on its cover.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

The erratic Chinese air activity has created uncertainty about Beijing’s intentions amid global events.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Her arm was an erratic welt of angry red with a smattering of white blisters.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

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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