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.
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 Federal Bureau of Prisons previously showed Sidhu scheduled to be released on June 29, but now lists his release date as unknown.
—
Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
At this time, the containment status is unknown and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025
Bell’s status for the start of training camp is unknown.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 17 June 2025
The reality is the college application essay is an assignment of significant consequence with unclear criteria for an unknown audience.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknown
Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
At this time, the containment status is unknown and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025
Bell’s status for the start of training camp is unknown.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 17 June 2025
The reality is the college application essay is an assignment of significant consequence with unclear criteria for an unknown audience.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknown
Adjective
-
For brand builders and business leaders, the insight is simple: AI doesn’t need to feel robotic or unfamiliar.—
Allen Adamson,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Charlie Brown loves camp and is determined to make his final year special, but Sally, a first-time camper, is nervous and skeptical of the new and unfamiliar place.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
To take full advantage of this novel solution, greater adoption is needed by standards organizations and industry groups.—
Srinivas Shekar,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Leave Burke aside for the moment, save to observe that Sullivan’s approach in invoking him was novel at a time when even like-minded activists preferred radicalism.—
Jack Butler,
National Review,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Their final products include paintings, sketches, audio recordings, sculptures and videos of some of the Louvre’s most iconic artworks, as well as some of its more obscure.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 June 2025
-
Answers vary from obvious to obscure, some citing culture or clutch performances, while others cling to cliches that this club is turning into truths.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The night before the baby junco landed in the research team’s net, a strange, shifting light filtered through the forest, not far from where the Long Trail, Vermont’s end-to-end hiking route, traverses the Mount Mansfield ridgeline.—
Madeline Bodin,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 June 2025
-
But one of the strangest well wishes came not from a person, but a 1,400-foot-tall building.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Despite her achievements, Rosa was forgotten and unrecognized.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
16 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
-
Such stalling of regulatory activity is unprecedented.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The scale of Squid Game’s success is indeed unprecedented.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Its intuitive editing tools, combined with accessibility through platforms like Google Gemini, Flow, Vids, and Vertex AI, open new frontiers for filmmakers, marketers, educators, and game designers alike.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
Either way, your new bedding just might invoke dreams of France: All Sijo linen is sourced from Normandy, which has a centuries-old tradition of producing top-notch linen.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknown. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share