1
as in unfamiliar
happening or existing without one's knowledge
unknown to me was the fact that while I was out, my family was hurriedly preparing a surprise birthday party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in novel
not known or experienced before
becoming a father brought unknown joy to his life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obscure
not widely known
looking for a relatively unknown singer to record the song
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unknown
Pharaoh's tomb discovered by archaeologists in Egypt Dr. Josef Wegner, Penn Museum curator who is based in Philadelphia, recently uncovered a groundbreaking discovery: an unknown pharaoh's tomb, dating back 3,600 years.
—
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
The Texas health department said 30 of the cases were in vaccinated people, with the remainder of the 679 sick patients being unvaccinated or having an unknown vaccination status.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
In both Texas and New Mexico, most cases have occurred among those who are unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status, mirroring national trends.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 May 2025
Parents cannot read their kids' messages, but will receive alerts if the text messages contain images with explicit content, harmful words from unknown contacts, or links from unknown contacts.
—PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknown
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
The Texas health department said 30 of the cases were in vaccinated people, with the remainder of the 679 sick patients being unvaccinated or having an unknown vaccination status.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
In both Texas and New Mexico, most cases have occurred among those who are unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status, mirroring national trends.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 May 2025
Parents cannot read their kids' messages, but will receive alerts if the text messages contain images with explicit content, harmful words from unknown contacts, or links from unknown contacts.
—PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknown
Adjective
-
Kennedy has, at times, seemed unfamiliar with programs and staff that had been cut, and suggested as many as 20% of the people fired could be brought back if they are deemed essential.—
Selena Simmons-Duffin,
NPR,
13 May 2025
-
Others view them as a hazard, especially for people unfamiliar with how to drive through them.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
Teacup: The horror series, inspired by the novel Stinger, starred Yvonne Strahovski of The Handmaid’s Tale, but was canceled after one season.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
2 May 2025
-
Orlando, upon inspecting the wig, immediately appreciated the cap construction, which was a novel feature for both of us.—
Noel Cymone Walker,
StyleCaster,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Starting from a relatively obscure blog, Yarvin has emerged as one of the most prominent critics of ...—
Fred Bauer,
National Review,
10 May 2025
-
What historical and cultural circumstances lead a language down such obscure paths?—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
From the window of his 46th-floor downtown office, attorney Scott Sheftall noticed a strange, solitary cloud that worried him.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
10 May 2025
-
Thankfully, Karr and his team knew where to look, starting with the strange way a common type of bacteria functions in fruit flies.—
Stephanie Edwards,
Discover Magazine,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Thyroid problems Thyroid disease is a potential cause of heavier periods that is often unrecognized, Dr. Ascher-Walsh says.—
Ashley Abramson,
SELF,
7 May 2025
-
On their own, Cheech, in his scuffed Crocs, walking the stretch of Venice Boardwalk ahead of his once (and maybe future) co-star went virtually unrecognized.—
Adam Tschorn,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie turned the wizardly backstory into an epic adventure, opening a gateway for young unbeknownst fantasy fans everywhere while also delivering a classically wholesome story about the importance of family and a parent's unconditional love.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
1 July 2024
-
For a surprise at the end, unbeknownst even to King, Winfrey arranged a path lined with sparklers, framing the couple in a golden glow against the night sky.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2024
Adjective
-
Trump’s unprecedented actions and policy flip-flops have dented U.S. credibility and confidence in its assets, and this could still result in global fund managers investing less in the U.S. markets in favor of others, explained Vasu Menon, OCBC’s managing director of the investment strategy team.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
16 May 2025
-
States warn there could be 'unprecedented chaos' Jeremy Feigenbaum, a lawyer representing the states challenging Trump's policy, stressed the practical problems of not having a national standard for citizenship while the executive order is being litigated.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Available beginning May 12 for a limited time at participating Krispy Kreme shops, the Krispy Kreme x Pac-Man Collection features three new doughnuts in a custom Pac-Man game dozen box.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
-
In addition to offering previously unattainable data rates, Wi-Fi 7 will employ new technologies to reduce latency, increase network capacity, and boost efficiency.—
Iyaz Akhtar,
PC Magazine,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknown. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share