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

Pass protection had an uncharacteristic hiccup; the Canes permitted four sacks after allowing just 15 in its first 14 games. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

The Texans allowed the second fewest points in the NFL, surrendering the top spot to the Seahawks after an uncharacteristic showing in a 38-30 victory against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18. —Jeff Howe, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026

Forecasters said that the uncharacteristic winter storm doused Southern California with several inches of rain. —Zach Boetto, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025

Still, McMillan, who woke up congested, refused to make excuses, even with an uncharacteristic output. —Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 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