outlier

[out-lahy-er] / ˈaʊtˌlaɪ ər /

NOUN

something that stands apart

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aberration deviation eccentricity exception oddity

STRONG

anomaly deviance irregularity quirk

WEAK

bohemian dissenter dissident eccentric heretic iconoclast maverick nonconformist original outsider

Antonyms

STRONGEST

average normality standard

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.

“In the quickly expanding universe of cases involving sanctions for the misuse of artificial intelligence, this case is a notorious outlier in both degree and volume,” Clarke wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

The outlier in the positive manufacturing data, however, was the latest survey from the Richmond Fed, which found activity in the district was flat in March.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

But somehow, I have managed to defy the odds, becoming the rare outlier to not only protect my job from the A.I. monster’s bite but profit from its terrors.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

Bradford's 4-2 win at Chelsea in 2015 was the outlier.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

But he’s not an outlier for the reasons you might think, and the story of his rise provides a blueprint for understanding success in his profession.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell