1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary
even among the prize-winning roses, this one is a rare beauty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exquisite
having qualities that appeal to a refined taste
rare specialty wools, such as cashmere, prized for their fineness, lightness and exceptional warmth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in occasional
not often occurring or repeated
the French pronunciation of the family's name is rare, except in Louisiana
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced
"Such good manners are rare these days," remarked Mrs. Denby, as the young man let her go ahead of him in line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rare
Golden State is the rare team that owns its arena—most just operate them.
—
Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Shohei Ohtani’s decision to take a rare batting practice session on the field on Wednesday made headlines in Tokyo.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
The Boxster was the rare long-running model that arrived almost fully formed.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
Kincaid has the rare ability to shift between aloof, emotionally-distant narrators and a warm autobiographical register.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rare
Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Shohei Ohtani’s decision to take a rare batting practice session on the field on Wednesday made headlines in Tokyo.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
The Boxster was the rare long-running model that arrived almost fully formed.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
Kincaid has the rare ability to shift between aloof, emotionally-distant narrators and a warm autobiographical register.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rare
Adjective
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This is not unusual, because Mahomes teammates have done that in the past (notably Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and many others).—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
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Sometimes, Gatlin would also approve invoices from Georgia companies, which would have been unusual given that Jackson Health System and the Foundation usually work with South Florida vendors.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Plockton This exquisite one-bedroom cottage is set within the grounds of Preston Hall estate, just 12 miles from Edinburgh’s city center.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
12 Oct. 2025
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Cooper as an actor has always been adept at comedy, and here in the standard best friend supporting role, exhibits again some exquisite timing, as does the wonderful Day, who memorably nails her all too brief few scenes.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Besides the occasional random spider that scuttles indoors, some spiders can live in out-of-the-way spots in your home, such as along ceilings or in basements and behind clutter.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
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And yes, there were occasional hijinks spurred by youthful boredom and restlessness.—
Scott Huver,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Such alerts are relatively uncommon for Los Angeles.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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The play, by Jordan Ramirez Puckett, follows a mother-son cross-country road trip peppered with the teen’s hip-hop music as a brown son and his white mother seek common ground in their uncommon pasts.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Every chapter has its own life, and this one has been extraordinary.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 Oct. 2025
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The extraordinary vote in November was to decide whether Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster and member of the EBU, could participate in the Eurovision 2026.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The home’s signatures, soaring inside spaces and elegant natural materials, are designed to match the spectacular vistas seen through towering floor-to-ceiling windows.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
11 Oct. 2025
-
With its refined silhouette, subtle logo detailing, and classic colors—from black to a fall-ready burgundy—the elegant accessory can be dressed down for coffee runs and classed up for date nights.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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His writing is lavishly detailed and sharply intelligent, nuanced and lyrical but also funny and sometimes surreal.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
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The dudes-rock montage that followed the execution sketch had some genuinely funny bits.—
T. M. Brown,
New Yorker,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some of them waged it, encamping with the armies, cooking, cleaning, and nursing, and, in a few exceptional cases, grabbing muskets themselves.—
Jane Kamensky,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
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Misa, one of the rare players to be given exceptional player status from Hockey Canada, was taken under Haight’s wing.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rare. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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