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 Every single shot is like a painting, and Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder are all extraordinary. — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 But even without seeing the eclipse itself, totality was extraordinary. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2026 There was something extraordinary about the way Sir Patrick Stewart could make even the most powerful characters feel profoundly human. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026 The filing comes about two weeks after Kelly ruled that CNN, MS NOW and Politico are likely to succeed in the extraordinary case pitting the president against the news outlets that cover him. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extraordinary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extraordinary

Adjective

The order of events in the Weeks recusal was somewhat unusual.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2026
Scheels argued this year that the Ada County Assessor’s Office had overvalued its unusual building.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

Prescription treatments are also uncommon, given to fewer than 1 in 1,000 adolescents who have commercial insurance, according to another study.

— Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
To be clear, praying for political leaders is hardly novel or uncommon, and the bishops who prayed for blessings could just as easily have been doing so for any supplicant.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

Singer demonstrates how timeless design and exceptional interior quality can coexist with everyday usability.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
Van Cleef & Arpels recently welcomed private clients to an intimate high jewelry presentation at a River Oaks residence, with the opportunity to meet the maison’s artisans and view exceptional creations.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Adjective

Alexi’s script gets to the heart of the strange, necessary bonds between humans and animals.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
Something in the movement of his hands, too fast, too smooth, too precise, and something in the play of the light and shadow across his knuckles, reveals that something strange is at work.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

Personalized medicine already helps doctors match patients with drugs suited to their cancer’s unique biology.

— Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
The Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing trio of Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski swept the top three spots in the first stage with a unique strategy that had the rest of the field nearly a lap down at one point.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Divorced from the context of a map, Texas' congressional districts might just look like a collection of funny shapes.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
China did not find anything funny about the French star laughing at a meme of Mao, the communist dictator whose regime resulted in tens of millions of deaths.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

Voting by noncitizens and fraud involving mail ballots are both rare.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Back in 2023, Stevens revealed he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome—a rare auto-immune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves—and was working to relearn how to walk and use his hands.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 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 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of extraordinary

adjective

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