What Is Another Way to Say “Black Sheep”?

Looking for synonyms for black sheep? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say black sheep.

  • Outcast
  • Pariah
  • Misfit
  • Odd one out
  • Outlier
  • Maverick
  • Nonconformist
  • Rebel
  • Renegade
  • Exile
  • Dissenter
  • Loner
  • Eccentric
  • Castaway
  • Deviant
  • Rogue
  • Heretic
  • Alien
  • Disparaged individual
  • Unconventional person

Want to learn how to say black sheep professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Outcast

Appropriate Use: Suitable for someone who is rejected or isolated from society or a group.
Example: “After the scandal, he became an outcast in the industry.”

2. Pariah

Appropriate Use: Ideal for someone who is despised or avoided by others.
Example: “Following her controversial statements, she was treated as a pariah in professional circles.”

3. Misfit

Appropriate Use: Best for someone who does not conform to the norms of a group or society.
Example: “As a creative thinker, she often felt like a misfit in the conventional corporate environment.”

4. Odd One Out

Appropriate Use: Suitable for someone who is noticeably different from the other members of a group.
Example: “In a family of lawyers, the artist was the odd one out.”

5. Outlier

Appropriate Use: Ideal for someone or something distinct from the main or related group.
Example: “His innovative approach made him an outlier in traditional academia.”

6. Maverick

Appropriate Use: Best for someone who is independent-minded and does not conform to the group.
Example: “The maverick CEO was known for his unconventional business strategies.”

7. Nonconformist

Appropriate Use: Suitable for someone who does not conform to prevailing ideas or practices.
Example: “As a nonconformist, she always found unique solutions to common problems.”

8. Rebel

Appropriate Use: Ideal for someone who resists authority, control, or tradition.
Example: “His rebel attitude often challenged the company’s strict policies.”

9. Renegade

Appropriate Use: Best for someone who rejects conventional behavior.
Example: “The scientist was considered a renegade for his radical theories.”

10. Exile

Appropriate Use: Suitable for someone who has been forced to live away from their country or group.
Example: “The whistleblower lived in exile after exposing the scandal.”

11. Dissenter

Appropriate Use: Ideal for someone who opposes the majority opinion.
Example: “As a dissenter, she often voiced her opposing views during meetings.”

12. Loner

Appropriate Use: Best for someone who prefers not to associate with others.
Example: “The loner programmer preferred to work on projects independently.”

13. Eccentric

Appropriate Use: Suitable for someone who has unconventional and slightly strange behavior.
Example: “His eccentric personality was well-known in the art world.”

14. Castaway

Appropriate Use: Ideal for someone who is rejected or cast out.
Example: “Feeling like a castaway, he struggled to integrate into the new team.”

15. Deviant

Appropriate Use: Best for someone whose behavior diverges from accepted standards.
Example: “Her deviant approach to marketing broke all the traditional rules.”

16. Rogue

Appropriate Use: Suitable for someone who behaves unpredictably and is often unorthodox.
Example: “The rogue scientist pursued experiments outside the mainstream.”

17. Heretic

Appropriate Use: Ideal for someone who holds controversial opinions, especially one who publicly dissents from the officially accepted dogma.
Example: “In the finance sector, his support for unconventional investment strategies made him a heretic.”

18. Alien

Appropriate Use: Best for someone who feels isolated due to being from a different place or having different beliefs.
Example: “As an alien in the corporate culture, she struggled to adapt to its norms.”

19. Disparaged Individual

Appropriate Use: Suitable for someone who is spoken of in a disrespectful or slighting manner.
Example: “Once a highly regarded member, he became a disparaged individual after the controversy.”

20. Unconventional Person

Appropriate Use: Ideal for someone who does not follow traditional ways of thinking or behaving.
Example: “Her unconventional approach to leadership was initially met with skepticism.”

Linda Brown