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

Kids can explore an inflatable corn maze, go trick-or-treating, face painting and more.

— John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026
Beamer’s acumen in the game’s third phase comes from father, Hall of Famer Frank Beamer, whose Virginia Tech teams won games by blocking kicks and using trick plays.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

The result suggests that the crystal framework has the structural characteristics needed for fast lithium-ion transport.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
Knowing someone's baseline characteristics is not the same as knowing what that person thinks about this decision today.

— Leslie John, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Growing older, Christian inherited his father’s mannerisms and infectious energy and often wears a glittering Bad Boy chain around his neck, firmly tying himself to his father’s shadow.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Others noticed how similar Ella’s voice and mannerisms are to Bening’s.

— Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of mannerism

Noun

Suppressing tics as treatment Suppressing tics can be distracting and exhausting, yet decades of research has shown that tic suppression can be strengthened and used therapeutically.

— Michael Okun, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026
Somehow, Stan does, inhabiting the physicality and voice completely, turning up the volume on the Trumpian tics as the character ages.

— Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of tic

Noun

The best twists will come out of the moves that the firms can’t possibly anticipate.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Award-winning chef Kai Mueller has created a large and unusual menu that leans into the location, with a much healthier twist (all dishes that are safe to have on the detox programme are clearly marked).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of twist

Noun

The developer said the system even encountered locations where collision information appeared to be incomplete and was able to exploit those map quirks.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Of course, there’ll be homologation and regulatory hurdles, distribution and service quirks, parts availability and pricing details that will need some ironing out before all of that.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of quirk

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crotchet

crotchetiness

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“Crotchet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crotchet. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of crotchet

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