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

Air Force’s postseason potential Let’s start with the Zoomies, who are 3-1 and on track to snap an uncharacteristic two-year bowl drought. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Paul, meanwhile, was in a period of uncharacteristic autobiographical directness in his lyric-writing, documenting his grievances with his actor girlfriend Jane Asher while residing in her family’s London home. — Darryn King, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

The Dodgers missed every opportunity against the Atlanta bullpen, made several uncharacteristic mistakes, and lost game two 3-2 to even the series at one apiece. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

In the second inning, Cleveland scored four unearned runs after Witt made an uncharacteristic error at shortstop. — Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uncharacteristic

• deuteronomistic
• imperialistic
• intuitionistic
• materialistic
• nondeterministic
• nonrelativistic
• oligopolistic
• particularistic
• sociolinguistic
• spiritualistic
• universalistic
• agonistic