HEAD CASE Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

head case

noun

Definition of head case

as in character

a person of odd or whimsical habits an area of scientific research that's a good niche for social misfits and hard-core head cases

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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 head case My question is, with what AB did to the Raiders, Why would Gruden/Mayock want to take another head case like Jalen Ramsey? — Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2019 Whiteside has a reputation of being a bit of a head case, and also, in need of motivation. — oregonlive.com, 1 July 2019 Here’s a toast to both of them, performing in such relevant games after being written off as hopeless head cases earlier in their careers. — Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 May 2018 Grant Goodrich of Cleveland, who heads Case Western Reserve University's Great Lakes Energy Institute, collected $72,192 in the quarter, spent $28,273 and had $48,919 in the bank. — Sabrina Eaton, cleveland.com, 16 Apr. 2018 Then again, the finale may just add to the mystery, and turn not just a few, but every single character into a head case tortured by strange, traumatic visions and memories. — Kristi Turnquist, OregonLive.com, 12 Apr. 2018 Neither of the Aboutaam brothers has been charged with any wrongdoing related to any of these investigations or to the bull’s head case. — Georgi Kantchev, WSJ, 27 Sep. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for head case

Noun

Earlier versions looked unnaturally green, while the team also considered how the character’s skin would react to different lighting.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Coleman said each design has its own distinct character and can be styled individually, either as a subtle everyday detail or a sculptural statement.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of character

Noun

Janney’s Silda, the wisecracking eccentric with an ax to grind, is the live wire of the company.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
The public reckonings with these figures’ legacies—the troubled former child star gone too soon, the beloved icon, the cult favorite, the complicated eccentric—have come in a cascade.

— Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of eccentric

Noun

Another 24 new releases are lined up for the rest of the year; most of them originals (20) followed by new seasons (3) and a saga.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
According to the brand, the casks are rotated while aging to encourage interaction between liquid and wood, and like the original the gin spent 71 nights maturing.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of original

Noun

While Annie seemed like the odd duck out, her closest, idol-holding ally Alex seemed to be considering Sophi as his target, with the goal of taking out his bromance Jake’s other bestie.

— Nick Caruso, TVLine, 2 Oct. 2025
The Incredible Hulk' (2008) Before ultimately being replaced in other movies by Mark Ruffalo, Edward Norton starred as scientist Bruce Banner in this odd duck from the nascent MCU.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 July 2025

Definition of odd duck

Noun

Despite being a weird device with a black-and-white screen and a crank jutting out the side, the Playdate has managed to cultivate a strong and constantly growing library of games.

— Andrew Webster, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026
Many spent their days suspended from steel cables, raised and lowered along the mountainside by hand cranks.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of crank

Noun

That’s a rarity in this world where normally people have to wait two, three years for the next season.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The chef, known for his exceptional dishes at Le Bernardin, has an equally remarkable watch collection to match—think rarities from brands such as Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, and Cartier.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026