EXTRAORDINARY Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

extraordinary

adjective

ik-ˈstrȯr-də-ˌner-ē

Definition of extraordinary

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

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 Kate Hall, who does the hair and make up and worked on The Crown, is extraordinary. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 Five Park received extraordinary, site-specific zoning approvals, yet developers are using it to argue for 500-foot towers elsewhere without independent scrutiny, Suarez said. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 Modi has secured extraordinary loyalty within his BJP through an implicit assurance that those who act at the government’s behest will be protected from the consequences of their actions. — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 This is an extraordinary story told from a different perspective than it’s normally told. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extraordinary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extraordinary

Adjective

Six months after Vincent’s suicide, Theo died from the ravages of syphilis, leaving Jo a young widow with a baby to support, not much money, and an unusual inheritance—Vincent’s paintings—more than 400 in total.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
While his neighbors weren’t alarmed enough by the unusual sight to call security, Abrams wasn’t as lucky during filming at Radford Studios in Studio City.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

Although chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy is now standard treatment for advanced SCLC, long-lasting responses remain uncommon.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Most theme puzzles contain sets that are visually identifiable to solvers because of either the arrangement of their entries or an uncommon clue feature like italics or brackets.

— Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

When machines can instantly replicate the average, the only true moat is the exceptional.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The Brewers have an exceptional amount of talent too, and Murphy's routine of pretending like his team is a bunch of humble farmers who were playing stickball out back a few days ago is absurd and offensive.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Adjective

But only United States has this unique intelligence to say, to tell us, to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles.

— NBC news, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
Revamping a historic building with unique architecture has posed some difficulties, said Karademas.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Underneath the celebrity and the tabloid headlines is someone who’s vulnerable, funny and desperately trying to hold her life together.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
The book’s humor is sharp and merciless, akin to that of a standup comedy show, and yet the things described are far from funny.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 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

Browse Nearby Words

extraordinariness

extraordinary

extrapolate

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“Extraordinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extraordinary. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of extraordinary

adjective

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