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 In the early 1930s, scientists were just beginning to discover the extraordinary world hidden inside the atom, which is made up of a dense center, called the nucleus, with electrons orbiting around it. — Andrea Richard, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026 Both have distinct identities, extraordinary legacies and brands that have resonated with audiences for generations. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026 Both have distinct identities, extraordinary legacies, and brands that have resonated with audiences for generations. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026 Judges and prosecutors who had uncovered and investigated the corruption emerged from that period with extraordinary political authority, presenting themselves as a check on a political class that had failed the Brazilian people. — Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extraordinary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extraordinary

Adjective

The team now points to interactions between manganese and ytterbium as a possible source of the unusual Hall response.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
The unusual diplomatic rebuke underscored the mistrust between the two countries.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

This way of thinking is not uncommon, and it’s not limited to film criticism.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
Police noted that mountain lions are not uncommon near the Stanislaus River and other rural pockets around Oakdale but urged residents to stay alert – especially overnight and around dawn and dusk.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

The machines typically used to compress fuel must deliver enormous bursts of energy with exceptional precision.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
The formula’s lead ingredient, soybean ferment extract, is an exceptional resurfacing agent—improving skin’s texture, tone, and radiance without any harsh side effects.

— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Adjective

This unique propagation gives rise to wave trajectories with directional rotation, or handedness, which dictates whether paths rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Season two goes a little differently than season one, because the music exec in charge of casting the show (Ashley Padilla) is being lightly blackmailed by two … unique candidates (Jane Wickline and new cast member Grace Reiter).

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Peppino Mazzullo, the Italian actor who provided the voice for the mouse puppet Topo Gigio, best known for his frequent, funny appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, died Wednesday.

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
While Eisenman’s works are funny at first glance, a nuanced narrative, interweaving the personal and political, can usually be teased out of them.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

Sarah Patton, a Compass agent familiar with the buildings, says that a few years ago, when hundreds of units were being marketed downtown, some buildings were making deals, but that’s rare.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 29 Sep. 2026
Since then researchers have discovered that the Epstein-Barr virus, which is known to cause cancers such as nasal pharyngeal cancers and some forms of lymphoma, is also linked to some stomach cancers and some rarer lymphomas, Clifford says.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

Read Cep’s Profile of Kingsolver » Our editors and critics choose the most captivating, notable, brilliant, surprising, absorbing, weird, thought-provoking, and talked-about books.

— Casey Cep, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
Why is this weird, scammy product now the biggest monster in the room?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of weird

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 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of extraordinary

adjective

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