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 There are extraordinary Italian, French, Spanish, German novels that deserve to be produced with the same scale and ambition and then expand into other territories. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026 Davydov knows this, even if the circumstances of his life have repeatedly made even stating the desire for these things aloud—let alone actively pursuing them—acts of extraordinary courage. — Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026 For four decades, the American Cinematheque Award has been designed to recognize extraordinary artists whose talent, vision, and contributions have made a lasting impact on cinema. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026 Meanwhile, other families possess more modest governance structures yet display an extraordinary capacity to deliberate collectively. — Walid Chiniara, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 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
  • The Wiles interviews stuck out for their candor, which is unusual for a sitting White House chief of staff.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Claude can also flag unusual transactions, duplicate charges, unexpected fees and bills that have gradually increased.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • The rising cost of veterinary care is pushing more Americans to buy pet insurance, as advances in animal medicine give owners access to treatments that were uncommon or unavailable a decade ago.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2026
  • However, what Patterson says was once uncommon has become a regular occurrence when the Idaho pediatrician is working in a newborn nursery in the southwest region of the state.
    — Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • Preservation had traditionally focused only on exceptional buildings, and protected them by more or less freezing them in place.
    — Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Proton offers exceptional cybersecurity (partially because it’s based in Switzerland, which has very strict data-protection laws).
    — Oscar Hartzog, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • Talk about strange beginnings at Friday’s City Section Division I football playoff opener between Sun Valley Poly and host Marshall.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • And having one of those is as strange and terrifying as anything else in the universe.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • This mix between college town, nature oasis and state capital gives Madison a unique flare, pairing beloved nightlife spaces with a growing trail network.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The state must show compassion for the unique geography of our neighborhood.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • Martin McDonagh’s latest comic provocation takes place on Easter Island and in 1970s Chile, where a ferociously funny John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell aim to upend the rule of law.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Sian is so funny and fun, and so is Mark, and so is Dylan [O’Brien].
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • The other, in Washington state, died in November 2025 from a rarer version called H5N5.
    — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Both were unbelievably tender and seared to a perfect medium-rare.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of rare
Adjective
  • This is a deeply weird album, somehow both bombastic and elusive.
    — Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Texas’ backhanded bid to cheat by squishing Democratic-leaning voters into weird districts?
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 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 9 Nov. 2026.

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