uncharacteristic

adjective

un·​char·​ac·​ter·​is·​tic ˌən-ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-stik 

-ˌka-rik-

: not characteristic : not typical or distinctive

uncharacteristic outbursts of temper

uncharacteristically

ˌən-ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-sti-k(ə-)lē 

-ˌka-rik-

adverb

Examples of uncharacteristic in a Sentence

It was an uncharacteristic outburst of temper.

Her uncharacteristic silence bothered me.

Recent Examples on the Web

Doncic scored 37 points in the 117-95 loss, but finished with only one assist, which is uncharacteristic of the superstar point guard. —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

Both misses were uncharacteristic of Maanum, who has scored eight goals this season, but demonstrated how unusual things can occur when the pressure is on. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025

This time the Canadians left it to their more experienced rivals to make uncharacteristic errors. —Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025

Those low numbers of points and shots is uncharacteristic for Adebayo, who is averaging 17.5 points and 13.8 shot attempts per game this season. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uncharacteristic

• deuteronomistic
• imperialistic
• materialistic
• nondeterministic
• nonrelativistic
• oligopolistic
• particularistic
• sociolinguistic
• universalistic
• agonistic
• altruistic
• animistic