extraordinary

adjective

ik-ˈstrȯr-də-ˌner-ē How to pronounce extraordinary (audio)
Definition of extraordinarynext
1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary the marine is being cited for extraordinary courage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced no one noticed anything extraordinary about the airline passenger

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 extraordinary At the same time, the fashion industry is guilty of extraordinary textile waste due to overproduction and unsold garments. — Catherine Salfino, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 Savage’s movie is so committed to its own absurdity that the extraordinary begins to feel mundane. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026 Sometimes the ultimate gift is a reminder of all the extraordinary women who came before. — Ethan Stone october 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026 An extraordinary collection of art further elevates the home’s atmosphere and narrative. — Michael James Gardner, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extraordinary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extraordinary
  1. unusual
  2. uncommon
  3. exceptional
  4. strange
  5. unique
  6. funny
  7. rare
  8. weird
Adjective
  • Atomic hydrogen’s unusual reactivity could potentially be useful in other areas of organic chemistry and, over the longer term, biological sciences.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The unusual diversion also led to discussion among travelers online, some of whom shared their own experiences with restroom problems aboard flights.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • The 1997 Disney movie Hercules mixed Roman and Greek names, helping propagate this and other inaccuracies (not uncommon in Hollywood’s depictions of ancient Greece).
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This is not uncommon — women make up 4% of laureates since the award’s inception, though that has inched up to 12% in the past decade.
    — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • The lifestyle here is anchored by an exceptional collection of amenities.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The territory is also looking at its exceptional biodiversity as a platform for innovation, particularly in beauty, pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
    — Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • The small army at Kostabi World turned out images of featureless characters moving through strange, otherworldly scenes, caught between intimacy, alienation, and the discomfort of contemporary life.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The first bit of growth might be especially strange-looking, says Sutcliffe.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • That unique gallery purchased the building in 2018 for $3 million, but officials there didn’t begin planning its future in earnest until Cap City vacated its lease and closed in July 2025.
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • On Saturday, the singer and talk show host took to X to share details of her recent experience at Art of Play, a store known for its collection of toys, games, books, puzzles and other unique items.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • And Widow’s Bay was, of course, very successful at alternating between scary and funny bits.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Ashton was charming, funny, ridiculously handsome, and fascinated by all things tech.
    — Chuck Lorre, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • This collective nature has a layering effect, telegraphing a specific sense of style and humanity increasingly rare in the world of contemporary hotels.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Expect to see rare bottles pulled from the shelves and all manner of weird and wonderful concoctions offered up from the menu and from their encyclopedic knowledge of drinks.
    — Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of rare
Adjective
  • One of those weird lizard things from NBC’s very similar Surface, a 2005 drama mostly, if barely, remembered by television critics?
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The matches were entertaining, in a weird, raw kind of way—slapstick football.
    — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of weird

Browse Nearby Words

extraordinariness
extraordinary
extrapolate
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Cite this Entry

“Extraordinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extraordinary. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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