CROTCHET Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'crotchet' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of crotchet are caprice , vagary , and whim . While all these words mean "an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire," crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference. // a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

Q: When would 'caprice' be a good substitute for 'crotchet'?

The words caprice and crotchet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness. // by sheer caprice she quit her job

Q: When is 'vagary' a more appropriate choice than 'crotchet'?

In some situations, the words vagary and crotchet are roughly equivalent. However, vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire. // he had been prone to strange vagaries

Q: Where would 'whim' be a reasonable alternative to 'crotchet'?

While the synonyms whim and crotchet are close in meaning, whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination. // an odd antique that was bought on a whim

crotchet

noun

ˈkrä-chət

Definition of crotchet

as in trick

an odd or peculiar habit her one crotchet is a fondness for eating cookies while soaking in the tub

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How is the word crotchet distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of crotchet are caprice, vagary, and whim. While all these words mean "an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire," crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference.

a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

When would caprice be a good substitute for crotchet?

The words caprice and crotchet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness.

by sheer caprice she quit her job

When is vagary a more appropriate choice than crotchet?

In some situations, the words vagary and crotchet are roughly equivalent. However, vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire.

he had been prone to strange vagaries

Where would whim be a reasonable alternative to crotchet?

While the synonyms whim and crotchet are close in meaning, whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination.

an odd antique that was bought on a whim

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 crotchet Eccentricities, crotchets, and hobbyhorses are such interesting intellectual drivers. — Clare Bucknell, The New York Review of Books, 27 June 2026 Think outside the box All book collectors develop distinctive crotchets. — Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024 The origins of brackets — once referred to as crotchets, crooks, or hooks — are a mystery. — Sarah Fay, Longreads, 17 Mar. 2020 Maxine attended to his every whim and crotchet, never lost faith in his brilliance or potential, and delighted in surrounding him with exactly the sort of frivolous company his wife abhorred. — Sadie Stein, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crotchet

Noun

Is there a celebrity chain where people share tips and tricks?

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Fox Nation is pulling a new trick, using artificial intelligence to bring legendary illusionist Harry Houdini back from the dead.

— Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

Those characteristics can be particularly relevant to fashion distribution, where seasonal peaks, promotional periods and e-commerce demand can put intense pressure on fulfillment operations.

— Josh McMorrow, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Balls put in play with those characteristics are hits 84% of the time, per the league's Statcast page.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

As on television, Seyfried nails Holmes’s wide eyes, unsteady mannerisms, deep voice, and mysterious vocal cadence that makes the character both unreal and oddly human.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly building an AI clone of himself that is trained on his tone and mannerisms and can answer staff questions.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of mannerism

Noun

These platforms aren’t necessarily focused on helping consumers build healthy financial habits to build long-term wealth; instead, they’re primarily focused on engagement and dopamine.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Many longtime residents have developed habits to calm their minds during these exceptional conditions — meditation, a dip in the ocean to trigger the calming mammalian dive response, support groups to talk through the pain.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of habit

Noun

But Lewis said justifying camera movements through human mannerisms and tics also made the drone the episode’s poignant exhale.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
Unlike Tourette’s patients — whose initial tics are often very simple, such as blinking — some of these young people made complex movements.

— Nebyou Belay, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of tic

Noun

While the collection draws inspiration from the brand’s past, elements have been retooled for a modern twist.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Rather than doing a literal adaptation, the creators kept the book’s DNA and tweaked the ideas of evil, temptation and power with a contemporary twist.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of twist

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crosswise

crotchet

crotchetiness

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“Crotchet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crotchet. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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