1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary
the marine is being cited for extraordinary courage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Iranian cemeteries, holy shrines and mosques -- which normally are venues for the 40th-day ceremonies -- have turned into scenes of the most extraordinary ways of mourning in the country, as victims’ families have been dancing to mourn as a sign of defiance.
—
Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
The worst included the years of arson, abandonment, extraordinary violence, and despair.
—Eileen Torres, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
Then there’s the art form’s extraordinary role in the history of antifascism.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
This truck is a good choice for fans of the brand who are intrigued by the novelty of its design and its extraordinary performance specs.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extraordinary
Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
The worst included the years of arson, abandonment, extraordinary violence, and despair.
—Eileen Torres, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
Then there’s the art form’s extraordinary role in the history of antifascism.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
This truck is a good choice for fans of the brand who are intrigued by the novelty of its design and its extraordinary performance specs.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extraordinary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extraordinary
Adjective
-
In the footage and images released by the FBI, the suspect appears to have a gun holstered near the center of his waist – an unusual position – and is seen wearing a backpack with reflective straps.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Austin criminal defense attorney Sam Bassett told CBS affiliate KEYE-TV that a declaration of innocence is very unusual.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
However, more uncommon but serious side effects, like acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and gallbladder issues, need immediate medical attention.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Criminal defenses that meet the legal threshold to argue an alternative perpetrator was responsible are extremely uncommon in the state, legal experts told the Statesman.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The event will focus on wisdom and wellness, featuring engaging speakers, meaningful conversations, and breathtaking coastal views paired with exceptional cuisine, according to a news release.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Sponsored by the Christopher Isherwood Foundation, the award honors exceptional work and encompasses fiction, travel writing, memoir and diary.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The backstory The island has been accumulating stories the way its volcanic soil accumulates roots, in layers, each one stranger than the last.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
These two worlds may seem like strange bedfellows—what does a luxury hotel in Switzerland’s Engadine valley have to do with the king of the 1980s downtown New York art scene?—
Laura May Todd,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The winding canopy walkway runs above the treeline, offering a completely unique vantage point over the gardens.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
What is extraordinary is not the teacher (or student), per se, but the underlying experience of teaching and learning as a communion of unique intelligences.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The builders’ alternating harassment and bribery leaves Cook with little recourse, especially when mafioso-like representatives begin dropping by at all hours, leading to dry exchanges — what little dialogue the film has is extremely funny.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
-
This Elvis comes across confident, breezy, comfortable and funny.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This year, with a bumper crop of the strange parrot’s favorite berries prompting a rare enthusiasm for mating, those working to save the birds hope for a record number of chicks in February, which would move the kakapo closer to defying what was not long ago believed to be certain extinction.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The Boca Raton downtown campus redevelopment project represents a rare opportunity to modernize aging public facilities, improve how downtown functions, and do so in a fiscally responsible manner.—
Troy McLellan,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Except for the weird assortment of tentacled, befinned, leaflike, rocklike, or altogether bizarre strangers who busily or somnolently populate the stone.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The resulting cookies are speckled like bird food (in a good way) and as fueling as a protein bar (without any of the weird ingredients).—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extraordinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extraordinary. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
