unfamiliar

adjective

ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər How to pronounce unfamiliar (audio)
Definition of unfamiliarnext
as in strange
not known or experienced before ordered an unfamiliar wine and was surprised to find that it was much drier than what they were used to

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 unfamiliar For Spence, running up against the neighborhood and Landmarks’ opposition isn’t unfamiliar. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026 One demonstration, different robots Feagine also wants Fi0 to reduce the amount of retraining required when robots encounter unfamiliar tasks. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026 In orienteering, competitors try to navigate an unfamiliar terrain using a detailed map. — Mia Hilkowitz, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Aug. 2026 Review bank and credit card activity for anything unfamiliar. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar
  1. strange
  2. new
  3. novel
  4. unprecedented
  5. fresh
  6. original
  7. unknown
Adjective
  • The explanation behind this family man’s strange case is well chronicled in many Chicago and New York news stories.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Symptoms include anxiety, hypervigilance, confusion and mania, and taking on activities that might be considered strange.
    — Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • In July, Heated Rivalry actor Hudson Williams was spotted in Seoul wearing a pair of calf-length white shorts from Descalco, a new swimwear brand that launches this week.
    — Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Conceptually inspired by the 1989 Pininfarina Mythos, the Kode89 utilizes a new proprietary aluminum spaceframe and a carbon-fiber body.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of new
Adjective
  • The novel delves into the war experience of Palestinian women.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Researchers in South Korea have recently developed a novel 3D printing method that allows soft actuators made from a single material to stretch or contract when exposed to heat.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of novel
Adjective
  • The state’s largest electric utility is planning to add an unprecedented amount of new electricity capacity by 2030 to meet the power needs of the massive warehouses filled with computer servers.
    — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Los Angeles Lakers have undergone an unprecedented series of ownership changes over the past year.
    — Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of unprecedented
Adjective
  • That choice was to keep him fresh for the more important league game on the weekend.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Apart from the cleanup, the Kallimarmaro is also getting a new track, upgraded lighting and fresh support facilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of fresh
Adjective
  • For almost 20 years, Xerjoff has specialized in exotic perfumes, crafting 170 original scents that are available in more than 130 countries around the world.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The original proposal raised questions about how much financial risk Nvidia should assume.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of original
Adjective
  • The company first disclosed in July that during a cybersecurity exam, a combination of its AI agents with internal safeguards purposely lowered escaped their testing environment through a previously unknown bug.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Related Articles Attribution for the book had long been unknown until around two decades ago, when a connection was established with Rombout Uylenburgh, a Dutch painter who worked at the Polish royal court in Kraków, and his workshop.
    — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of unknown

Browse Nearby Words

unfaltering
unfamiliar
unfamiliarity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on unfamiliar

Nglish: Translation of unfamiliar for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All