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 The blowers must purse their lips in just the right spot and exercise extraordinary breath control. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 Spinnova plans to convene an extraordinary general meeting in late September. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 Looking back on her extraordinary life, few could have guessed how big that little girl could dream. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 For Fasano, the extraordinary nature of Rota’s music means that the documentary’s job is less to explain it than to create the space for it to be heard and felt. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 27 Aug. 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
  • Its unusual features give it a curious, almost surprised expression, helping people connect with a species rarely seen outside its coral home.
    — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Researchers used Jefferson Lab’s Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) to produce the experiment’s unusual probe.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Standing ovations are not uncommon in the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, the $82 million home of La Jolla Music Society.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Striking up chats with strangers used to be uncommon for Hoadley.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • This commitment to investing in people, listening intently, and acting on feedback drives continuous improvement, proving that exceptional service is a deliberate outcome of strong leadership and a responsive culture.
    — Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Food and drink Zori’s 32-year-old chef, Siniša Jevrosimov, is an exceptional talent.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • Twenty-four hours after moving to London from New Zealand, Lavanda wanted to go out for a cocktail but felt strange going alone.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • There are a lot of on-the-road songs about travels through this strange, heartbreaking, and beautiful planet.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Under the rule, states must supply the USPS with lists of mail ballot recipients, and all outbound and return ballot envelopes must bear unique barcodes.
    — Andrew Chung, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The extreme environment has long given researchers a unique perspective on what makes plants grow, insight that would be hard to obtain elsewhere.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • The end result is Murder Bites, my funny, quirky mystery that takes place in a small town where everyone is obsessed with their tiny designer dogs.
    — Mimi Montgomery, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • What is sort of funny is imagining how immersion in the city’s cultural scene fits into Vanderbilt’s broader ambitions.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • In a rare move, the chipmaker provided a revenue growth outlook for fiscal 2028 that forecast annual sales to increase 70% from the prior year.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Within the Milky Way, astronomers have so far identified roughly 100 stellar stream candidates shed by globular clusters, but finding one around another galaxy is extraordinarily rare.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of rare
Adjective
  • This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a comically weird dinner with Kel’s ex, Sabrina (a scintillatingly eccentric Jasmin Savoy Brown).
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 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 31 Aug. 2026.

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