RARE Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'rare' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of rare are choice , dainty , delicate , elegant , and exquisite . While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," rare suggests an uncommon excellence. // rare beauty

Q: In what contexts can 'choice' take the place of 'rare'?

In some situations, the words choice and rare are roughly equivalent. However, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind. // choice fabric

Q: When is it sensible to use 'dainty' instead of 'rare'?

The meanings of dainty and rare largely overlap; however, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate. // dainty sandwiches

Q: When could 'delicate' be used to replace 'rare'?

Although the words delicate and rare have much in common, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility. // delicate craftsmanship

Q: When can 'elegant' be used instead of 'rare'?

The words elegant and rare can be used in similar contexts, but elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste. // a sumptuous but elegant dining room

Q: When might 'exquisite' be a better fit than 'rare'?

The words exquisite and rare are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste. // an exquisite gold bracelet

rare

adjective

ˈrer

Definition of rare

as in unusual

being out of the ordinary even among the prize-winning roses, this one is a rare beauty

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exquisite

having qualities that appeal to a refined taste rare specialty wools, such as cashmere, prized for their fineness, lightness and exceptional warmth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in occasional

not often occurring or repeated the French pronunciation of the family's name is rare, except in Louisiana

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in uncommon

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced "Such good manners are rare these days," remarked Mrs. Denby, as the young man let her go ahead of him in line

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rare different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of rare are choice, dainty, delicate, elegant, and exquisite. While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

In what contexts can choice take the place of rare?

In some situations, the words choice and rare are roughly equivalent. However, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

When is it sensible to use dainty instead of rare?

The meanings of dainty and rare largely overlap; however, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

When could delicate be used to replace rare?

Although the words delicate and rare have much in common, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

When can elegant be used instead of rare?

The words elegant and rare can be used in similar contexts, but elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

When might exquisite be a better fit than rare?

The words exquisite and rare are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

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 rare Similar in stature to Riq Woolen, Jones has a rare 6-4 frame for a cornerback, with the length and speed to suffocate receivers. — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The space offers guests a rare glimpse into a facet of Japanese nightlife that can feel impenetrable to outsiders. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026 At a time when Native people with degrees were rare, King was an asset who could navigate housing, financial aid, and federal protocols. — Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 Yet as rare as childhood dementia might be, its impact on families is no less devastating. — Mike McRae 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rare

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

The narrative is punctuated by prose-poems about the water conditions during her swims, which varied enormously from day to day and month to month, sometimes exquisite, sometimes terrifying.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Unlike the first one, though, this features an exquisite metal body and a more elegant design reminiscent of some top-end BlackBerry phones of yore.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of exquisite

Adjective

When Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, her family spent months in a bomb shelter, risking only occasional visits back to their apartment.

— Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
The Sox entered Tuesday ranked last in the majors with 561 innings pitched by starters — a number impacted in part by their occasional use of an opener.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of occasional

Adjective

Building new housing on two islands in San Francisco, one of the hottest housing markets, involved an extraordinary saga.

— Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026
As his abilities give him access to increasingly sophisticated criminal schemes and extraordinary wealth, he is drawn into a world of luxury, excess and organized cybercrime.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

Yeah, just continue and figure out elegant ways to catch up with everyone, like catch up with what’s been happening in the last year.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
The couple recently tied the knot in an elegant ceremony in Sicily at the historic Villa Valguarnera near Palermo on June 6, after officially marrying in London’s Marylebone Town Hall in advance.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of elegant

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

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

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“Rare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rare. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of rare

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