Definition of UNLIKENESS

Can unlike be used as a conjunction?: Usage Guide

Conjunction

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.

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

The Tod’s honcho is not unlike Moncler’s Remo Ruffini in his thinking. — Nicole Phelps, Vogue, "Tod’s Makes Alessandro Dell’Acqua Its First Tod’s Factory Collaborator," 25 Sep. 2018 But not unlike Facebook, the company is able to provide targeted mailing thanks to a proprietary system that organizes addresses into categories, such as moms, people who’ve just moved, or residents of high income areas. — Chavie Lieber, Vox, "Why so many hip startups advertise with snail mail," 1 Nov. 2018 Though most of its dialogue is in English, and its lead cast is predominately English-speaking, its locations are all Asian — not wholly unlike Skyscraper, as well as the Pacific Rim movies. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "Jason Statham and a colossal shark can’t save The Meg from a lifeless existence," 9 Aug. 2018 Such criticism ignores the sacred responsibility of the president to hold his subordinates accountable — a function not unlike public congressional oversight hearings. — New York Times, "Mueller Hopes Obstruction Inquiry Into Trump May Wrap Up by Sept. 1, Giuliani Says," 20 May 2018 And not unlike Discover’s own program, retailing giant Walmart announced in late May plans to offer subsidized college tuition for its workers, both online and in-person, at the University of Florida, Brandman University, and Bellevue University. — Lucinda Shen, Fortune, "Discover to Offer Full-Ride Online Bachelor's Degrees," 12 June 2018 Xhaka is currently at the World Cup with his national team - unlike Bellerin, who was passed over for Dani Carvajal and Álvaro Odriozola, with Nacho and Cesar Azpilicueta preferred by Julen Lopetegui as versatile backup options. — SI.com, "Hector Bellerin Named as One of Unai Emery's 5 'Untouchables' at Arsenal as New Regime Takes Shape," 19 June 2018 In Canada, a flaky tart shell holds a dense, sweet sugar custard not unlike pecan pie filling. — Florence Fabricant, New York Times, "Butter Tarts Clear Customs," 29 May 2018 Because unlike students being murdered in their American classrooms, a Royal Wedding is a rare event. — Nicole Hockley, Time, "My Youngest Son Was Murdered at Sandy Hook. I Worry About the One Who Survived," 21 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition

But unlike Takata, ARC of Knoxville uses ammonium nitrate only as a secondary method of inflating the bags. — Tom Krisher, The Seattle Times, "Driver hurt by air bag shrapnel as investigation drags on," 20 Feb. 2019 Stowga provides a standardized contract and charges warehouse operators for listings, but unlike some U.S. warehouse platforms, doesn’t get involved in operations. — Jennifer Smith, WSJ, "On-Demand Warehouse Space Gains Traction in Tight Real-Estate Market," 23 Dec. 2018 So, unlike other sitcoms that have tackled surrogacy (see: Friends, Superstore, The New Normal), the focus will be more on the relationship between Kimmy and Stephanie rather than the baby. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "Fuller House Focuses on Kimmy Gibbler Being Stephanie Tanner's Surrogate This Season," 14 Dec. 2018 That's because unlike most one-way fare sales, where return flights jump hundreds of dollars, Norwegian's sale includes fares only a few dollars more on the way back. — Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "12 Days of Deals: U.S. to Paris, Amsterdam from $120," 17 Dec. 2018 And, unlike upholstery or wood, a metal platform bed won’t stain or fade over time. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "Everything You Need to Know About Platform Beds," 21 Nov. 2018 That’s why, unlike asylum, withholding from removal and CAT protections don’t grant a pathway to permanent legal status. — Dara Lind, Vox, "Exclusive: even before the caravan, Trump took steps to use travel bans to limit asylum," 6 Nov. 2018 And fashion didn’t stop with the guests; in lieu of the traditional prize (a silver urn) the prize is a hunky, diamond-laden ring not unlike those awarded at the Super Bowl. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "Inside Miami's Pegasus Cup, the World’s Richest Horse Race," 1 Feb. 2019 School is now in session at King's Dominion and the classes are unlike anything that's in a normal school. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Everything We Know About Lana Condor's New Show "Deadly Class"," 4 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unlike.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.