unknown

adjective

ˌən-ˈnōn How to pronounce unknown (audio)
Definition of unknownnext
1
as in unfamiliar
happening or existing without one's knowledge unknown to me was the fact that while I was out, my family was hurriedly preparing a surprise birthday party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in novel
not known or experienced before becoming a father brought unknown joy to his life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obscure
not widely known looking for a relatively unknown singer to record the song

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 unknown The still-unknown circumstances around Wells’ death have touched off rampant online speculation and prompted calls from Black leaders for transparency from local authorities. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 Israeli media said the ship caught fire after it was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz,lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 July 2026 The source of the Cyclospora illness outbreak remains unknown, but the Food and Drug Administration continues to recommend that consumers avoid iceberg lettuce grown or processed by Taylor Farms in Mexico. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 21 July 2026 If there was more, it was lost before the FBI became involved, and its evidentiary value remains unknown. — Michael Ruiz , Kelley Kramer, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unknown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknown
  1. unfamiliar
  2. novel
  3. obscure
  4. unbeknownst
  5. strange
  6. unrecognized
  7. unprecedented
  8. new
Adjective
  • For families, this can feel like entering unfamiliar terrain.
    — Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • None of these ideas is unfamiliar on its own, but their combination is aimed at a clear use case—a premium folder that feels comfortable enough for everyday carry and capable enough for more serious cutting.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Definition of unfamiliar
Adjective
  • Anthropic says Opus 5 scored three times higher than the next-best model on ARC-AGI 3, which tests how well models solve novel problems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
  • The series offers viewers insight into a setting — interwar Asia — and themes that should be novel to all but the most ardent historians.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 23 July 2026
Definition of novel
Adjective
  • Maybe folks were turning to Spotify to confirm that the Swag II was, in fact, part of Bieber’s discography and not some obscure Christian rock track.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2026
  • Their books are weird and beautifully eccentric, and often highlight obscure and experimental writers from the 18th and 19th century.
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • However, unbeknownst to the girls, the men left the original villa setting and snuck away to Casa Amor, a second filming location where six bombshells in sexy costumes were waiting to steal guys' hearts.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • That same night, unbeknownst to friends and family, the couple spontaneously wed in a courthouse wedding.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Definition of unbeknownst
Adjective
  • The catfish in that Vermont lake has joined a very strange club.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Of all the peculiar assignments a newspaper reporter can undertake, writing advance obituaries for local notables who are still very much alive is one of the strangest.
    — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • The lever that may go unrecognized Look back at the equation.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • However, an unrecognized species of Asian pangolin (Manis aurita) has been hidden among the trees of Nepal and Northern India.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 July 2026
Definition of unrecognized
Adjective
  • Women's basketball is experiencing unprecedented growth, but Black women's economic ownership lags.
    — Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Europe saw a record amounts of land burned in 2025, Canada has had several record or near-record fire years in the 2020s and the Arctic recently has had unprecedented levels of burning.
    — Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of unprecedented
Adjective
  • Among those rumoured to be part of a new regime, the old 1998 goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is in the mix.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Iran’s unemployment has worsened since the conflict began, and its currency has hit new lows.
    — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of new

Browse Nearby Words

unknowledgeable
unknown
unlace
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknown. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unknown for Spanish Speakers

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