unlike

1 of 3

adjective

un·​like ˌən-ˈlīk 

: not like: such as

a

: marked by lack of resemblance : different

the two books are quite unlike

b

: marked by inequality : unequal

contributed unlike amounts

unlikeness noun

unlike

2 of 3

preposition

: not like: such as

a

: different from

a landscape unlike any other

b

: not characteristic of

it was unlike him to be late

c

: in a different manner from

spoke clearly, unlike the others

unlike

3 of 3

conjunction

: in a manner that is different than : not as

Can unlike be used as a conjunction?: Usage Guide

The use of unlike as a conjunction is less common than conjunctive use of like and, while criticized, is not as frequently cited as an error. The conjunctive unlike almost always introduces a prepositional phrase.

unlike in other areas, the judiciary cannot justify its attempt … as a necessary evil

—Alexandra M. Walsh, Stanford Law Rev.

In spite of criticism, this conjunctive use of unlike is well established in both American and British English.

Synonyms

Adjective

• different
• disparate
• dissimilar
• distant
• distinct
• distinctive
• distinguishable
• diverse
• nonidentical
• other
• unalike

Examples of unlike in a Sentence

Adjective

a comparison of unlike things

you're trying to compare very unlike things—like those proverbial apples and oranges

Preposition

The plants that grow here are unlike the plants that grow where I live.

She's unlike anyone I've ever met.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Arbitration is conducted behind closed doors, meaning that–unlike in litigation– writing filings, evidence, testimony and transcripts are shielded from public review. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 June 2025

Or small-sample fragility - unlike humans, today’s AI systems struggle to generalize confidently from limited data points. —Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025

Preposition

This is somewhat offset by the pace of each level which, unlike the 40-minute plus journey of each level in Left 4 Dead, can be made to run much faster. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025

Matthews Asia's Mittal foresees some marquee IPOs in India coming in at a 25% to 30% discount to the leading player in their space, unlike last year when many IPOs were priced at a premium. —Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 19 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1600, in the meaning defined above

Conjunction

1873, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unlike

• not unlike

Rhymes for unlike

• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• childlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike
• dreamlike
• friedreich
• godlike
• hairlike

Kids Definition

unlike

1 of 2 adjective

un·​like ˌən-ˈlīk 

ˈən-

1

: marked by differences

people are all unlike

2

: unequal sense 1a

contributed unlike amounts

unlikeness noun

unlike

2 of 2 preposition

1

: different from

feeling completely unlike a hero

2

: not typical of

it was unlike her to be late

3

: in a different manner from

behaving unlike all the other children