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 But the contraction also follows one of the most extraordinary expansionary periods in the industry’s history. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026 Anchored by an extraordinary performance from Fisher, the film’s centerpiece is a pool party thrown by the popular Kennedy (Catherine Oliviere), where Kayla sees her crush, Aiden (Luke Prael). — David Faris, TheWeek, 17 July 2026 To sit on camera with a stranger and walk line by line through your finances — to share fear and feelings of failure with such candor is an extraordinary act of trust. — Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 And Morton, in the film’s best turn, underplays her witchiness to extraordinary effect. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 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
  • But a small part is how the Rays have managed his unusual situation, handling him with some care.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
  • Categories for entrants in the pet parade included cutest pet, an owner and pet dress-alike, the biggest and smallest pet, most unusual pet and best trick.
    — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • This is uncommon or does not occur with other common causes of diarrheal disease.
    — Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • But these conditions are uncommon, affecting maybe 1 percent of men at most, Anawalt said.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • Blue Monkey is also disrupting the local food scene with the arrival of Amara, Barbados's first Lebanese restaurant—offering exceptional flavor, in arguably the most visually stunning dining room around.
    — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
  • As closing statements go, this was an exceptional one for Tre Donaldson, the Miami Hurricanes rookie who scored 13 of his 20 in the fourth to go along with eight rebounds and 10 assists.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • While Deliverance follows more or less in the footsteps of Blackwater Park, Damnation digs into a strange new realm for the band, uncovering something even darker.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026
  • Downstate, the threat of black vultures still feels new and strange.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Many of them feature amenities like a basketball court, weight rooms and a pool, while others may have unique features like boxing gyms or an ice rink.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • Because there’s a certain level of difficulty involved in taking a song fans know well, and expect to hear a particular way, and successfully putting a unique spin upon it.
    — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • The 26-year-old Houston native was an instant draw for audiences, who connected with her funny, outspoken—yet still plenty vulnerable—personality.
    — Rachel Brodsky, Time, 14 July 2026
  • More than just funny mistakes Spoonerisms are only one kind of speech error.
    — Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 14 July 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • Spain was so determined to limit Mbappe’s clean looks in the final third that Simon would often leave the net to meet Mbappe in the open field whenever a rare through ball was able to slip past Spain’s elite midfield.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Total solar eclipses offer rare and brief opportunities to learn new information about everything from the physics of the sun to the behavior of animals and the dynamics of Earth’s atmosphere.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 July 2026
Definition of rare
Adjective
  • This is a moody, weird, haunting, often beautiful film, punctuated by sudden violence and horror.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Their books are weird and beautifully eccentric, and often highlight obscure and experimental writers from the 18th and 19th century.
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 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 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on extraordinary

Nglish: Translation of extraordinary for Spanish Speakers

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