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
Relevance
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.
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Recent Examples of unknown
The proposal includes an unknown number of layoffs and substantial spending cuts, including about $25 million from the Parks department and slashing about $40 million from county nonprofit grants, according to the sources briefed on the plan.
—
Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
The discovery of at least 16 vertebrate species includes seven previously unknown species.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 10 July 2025
And 92% of all cases are people who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
—Lillian Ashworth, Oc Register, 10 July 2025
The woman's cause of death was unknown, as of July 9.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknown
Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
The discovery of at least 16 vertebrate species includes seven previously unknown species.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 10 July 2025
And 92% of all cases are people who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
—Lillian Ashworth, Oc Register, 10 July 2025
The woman's cause of death was unknown, as of July 9.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknown
Adjective
-
Being sent to an unfamiliar war zone far from their countries of origin, families or communities must feel like another criminal sentence.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
During a recent board meeting, Myers used AI to clarify unfamiliar terms instead of raising her hand to ask questions.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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But in reality, many of the most successful companies didn’t start with novel inventions.—
Abdo Riani,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Her novel Tongue was published in English by Bloomsbury in 2009.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Chartreuse Made by actual French monks based on a nearly 300-year-old secret recipe, this high-proof, kelly green spirit is a bit of an obscure flex.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 July 2025
-
Outraged, Gauguin located an obscure French law that proved only children within a four-kilometre radius of a school were bound to attend.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Ali spends a good chunk of time confused by the strange words whirling around him.—
Christopher J. Yates
July 9,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
-
Nevertheless, the combination of strange email address and unrecognizable link address is a very strong indicator that this email is fake and should be binned.—
Barry Collins,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
However, Pitt didn't go entirely unrecognized for his layered turn, winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the 2007 Venice Film Festival.—
Derek Scancarelli,
EW.com,
27 June 2025
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The problem is compounded in many parts of the country — particularly Arab towns, unrecognized Bedouin villages and older Jewish neighborhoods — where shelter infrastructure is limited or nonexistent.—
Deborah Danan,
Sun Sentinel,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie turned the wizardly backstory into an epic adventure, opening a gateway for young unbeknownst fantasy fans everywhere while also delivering a classically wholesome story about the importance of family and a parent's unconditional love.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
1 July 2024
-
For a surprise at the end, unbeknownst even to King, Winfrey arranged a path lined with sparklers, framing the couple in a golden glow against the night sky.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2024
Adjective
-
Gold, by contrast, is seen as politically neutral, and central banks have responded by diversifying into the yellow metal at an unprecedented pace.—
Frank Holmes,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
As women’s sports leagues, teams, and athletes command unprecedented attention and investment, RISE will showcase key voices who are spearheading this shift—from commissioners to owners to executives building the foundation for equity and opportunity.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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The veteran outfielder has been trying to adjust to a new role as a platoon DH this season.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
12 July 2025
-
The mayor has yet to internalize how much City Hall’s elaborate bait-and-switch on voters in winning approval of much-higher-than-promised new trash fees on 226,000-plus single-family homes has damaged his reputation.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknown. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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