unlike

1 of 2

adjective

un·​like ˌən-ˈlīk 

somewhat formal : 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

unlikeness

2 of 2

noun

un·​like·​ness

: the quality or state of being unlike : an instance of dissimilarity

Synonyms of unlike

Adjective

• different
• diverse
• distinctive
• distinct
• other

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

At Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia, a zebra named Kurtsie and a giraffe named Bakari have formed an unlike friendship — one that began with curiosity, grew through hardship and blossomed into an inseparable bond. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026

The plan is unlike to pass in its current form, and some environmental groups and Democrats already vow to oppose it. —Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026

Or the move could have been to help the calf stay afloat—unlike adults, young sperm whales tend to sink and need to swim harder to reach the surface to breathe. —Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026

Extreme cold is especially dangerous for donkeys because unlike horses, donkeys don’t have the natural oils in their coats that repel moisture, Vargas said. —Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English unliknesse, from unlik, adjective, unlike + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, 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