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

The Chiefs began their 2025 campaign with losses to the Chargers and Eagles marred by uncharacteristic mistakes from key players that cost them a chance at a late victory. —Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025

The uncharacteristic nature of fumbling the ball three times in a row is not lost on the star running back. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025

Those uncharacteristic mistakes gave his McLaren teammate Lando Norris the perfect chance to close the gap to Piastri at the top of the drivers’ championship, but the English driver was unable to take full advantage. —Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025

To finish off the look, Johnson wore a bombshell-esque updo reminiscent of the Pamela (but accommodating her signature blunt bangs), an uncharacteristic smoky eye, and a nude lip. —Glamour, 12 Sep. 2025

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