uncharacteristic

adjective

un·​char·​ac·​ter·​is·​tic ˌən-ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-stik 

-ˌka-rik-

: not characteristic : not typical or distinctive

uncharacteristic outbursts of temper

uncharacteristically

ˌən-ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-sti-k(ə-)lē 

-ˌka-rik-

adverb

Examples of uncharacteristic in a Sentence

It was an uncharacteristic outburst of temper.

Her uncharacteristic silence bothered me.

Recent Examples on the Web

Horford put up 17 points and six rebounds while De’Anthony Melton had an uncharacteristic tough shooting night and made just 3 of 14 from the field. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026

This is undoubtedly the source of that uncharacteristic final-whistle rage. —Beren Cross, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026

The notoriously private couple has rarely discussed their relationship over the years, so a private wedding ceremony outside of the spotlight would not be uncharacteristic for them. —Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2026

Strutting her stuff during Milan Fashion Week on Friday, Ratajkowski wore her brunette tresses in an uncharacteristic updo—the supermodel typically prefers to wear her long lengths loose. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uncharacteristic

• deuteronomistic
• imperialistic
• materialistic
• nondeterministic
• nonrelativistic
• oligopolistic
• particularistic
• sociolinguistic
• universalistic
• agonistic
• altruistic
• animistic