What Is Another Way to Say “Out of Character”?

Looking for synonyms for out of character? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say out of character.

  • Uncharacteristic
  • Atypical
  • Unusual
  • Not typical
  • Inconsistent
  • Aberrant
  • Anomalous
  • Uncommon
  • Irregular
  • Deviant
  • Nonconformist
  • Out of the ordinary
  • Unorthodox
  • Unconventional
  • Alien

Want to learn how to say out of character professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Uncharacteristic

Appropriate Use: Suitable for describing behavior or actions that are not typical of a person or situation.
Example: “It was uncharacteristic of the CEO to make a decision without consulting the board.”

2. Atypical

Appropriate Use: Best for situations or behaviors that deviate from the norm or standard.
Example: “Her atypical approach to solving the problem led to a breakthrough innovation.”

3. Unusual

Appropriate Use: Ideal for describing something rare or not commonly seen in a given context.
Example: “He took an unusual route to market the product, which surprisingly was very effective.”

4. Not Typical

Appropriate Use: Suitable for emphasizing that a behavior or event is not what one would normally expect.
Example: “It’s not typical for our software to have such errors, we’ll investigate immediately.”

5. Inconsistent

Appropriate Use: Used to describe actions or behaviors that don’t align with the usual patterns or standards.
Example: “Her inconsistent performance in the last few quarters has raised some concerns.”

6. Aberrant

Appropriate Use: Ideal for describing actions or patterns that deviate significantly from the norm.
Example: “The aberrant data in the experiment suggested a need for further investigation.”

7. Anomalous

Appropriate Use: Best for situations or results that are abnormal or deviate from the expected standard.
Example: “The project’s success was anomalous in a market that typically rejects such innovations.”

8. Uncommon

Appropriate Use: Suitable for something that is rare or not usual in a particular context.
Example: “It is uncommon for this model of car to have mechanical issues so early in its lifecycle.”

9. Irregular

Appropriate Use: Used to describe actions or patterns that are not regular or consistent.
Example: “There were some irregular transactions in the account that triggered a fraud alert.”

10. Deviant

Appropriate Use: Ideal for behavior or actions that markedly deviate from an accepted norm.
Example: “His deviant approach in the negotiation was surprisingly effective.”

11. Nonconformist

Appropriate Use: Suitable for actions or behaviors that do not conform to the usual practices or standards.
Example: “Her nonconformist ideas were initially met with skepticism but proved to be highly successful.”

12. Out of the Ordinary

Appropriate Use: Best for situations, behaviors, or actions that are unusual or unexpected.
Example: “The company’s rapid growth this quarter was certainly out of the ordinary.”

13. Unorthodox

Appropriate Use: Ideal for methods or approaches that are unconventional or different from what is usual.
Example: “His unorthodox management style has yielded impressive results.”

14. Unconventional

Appropriate Use: Suitable for methods, approaches, or ideas that are not based on traditional forms or standards.
Example: “The team’s unconventional marketing campaign captured a lot of attention.”

15. Alien

Appropriate Use: Used to describe something that is foreign or unfamiliar in a given context.
Example: “The new policies introduced by management were alien to the company’s established culture.”

Linda Brown