1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary
even among the prize-winning roses, this one is a rare beauty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
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
4
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
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
Osprey is offering a rare deal on a travel backpack that’ll hold all of your in-flight essentials.
—
Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2025
This rare, hands-on recording museum highlights the sonic legacy of guitar god Les Paul.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
The bill, introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, passed with unanimous consent – a rare occurrence for substantive legislation.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Sensor stabilization, which is frequently included in mirrorless cameras but rare in DSLRs, is a useful feature for handheld recording.
—PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rare
Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2025
This rare, hands-on recording museum highlights the sonic legacy of guitar god Les Paul.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
The bill, introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, passed with unanimous consent – a rare occurrence for substantive legislation.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Sensor stabilization, which is frequently included in mirrorless cameras but rare in DSLRs, is a useful feature for handheld recording.
—PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rare
Adjective
-
In that respect, Alonso is not necessarily unusual.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
-
If anything seems unusual, trust your instincts and stop the communication immediately.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
The play’s cast is excellent, particularly the exquisite, charismatic and very funny Mahira Kakkar as Ananya.—
Pamela Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
-
The 1925 designation declared that Rioja’s wines are not merely a product of geography, but of philosophy—that to label a bottle as Rioja is to name a lineage, to recognize an unbroken chain of hands shaping something enduring and exquisite.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Others that have a small selling history and only a handful of items for sale at a time tend to be occasional sellers and wardrobe clearers.—
Benjamin Voyer,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
The only thing that could get between attendees and their snacks was the occasional free beer or run-in with a mascot.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Then again, this drought is uncommon for the 22-year-old center fielder.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 May 2025
-
At the time, the method was uncommon in Texas, according to Michelle Johnson, project manager of the William J. Hill Texas Artisans and Artists Archive at the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.—
Jacoba Urist,
Smithsonian Magazine,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
But what goes unmentioned—what stands in opposition to the siblings’ code of self-optimization and principled bodysurfing—is that their father’s success grew from the soil of an extraordinary season of public investment.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
-
Now, after years of hard work and harder drinking, Bruce (an extraordinary Bill Camp) has early onset dementia.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Old Midleton Distillery, with its elegant stone facade, was originally a woolen mill in the late 18th century.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
Along the historic waterway system which dates from the 12th century, there are a series of patrician residences, pleasure villas, and elegant rural farmhouses that still stand, along with what remains of their parks and gardens, side-by-side with more recent houses.—
Elena Dallorso,
Architectural Digest,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
His translation recognizes, here and throughout, that the original is funny and compelling enough not to need elaborate explanation, even 60 years after its debut.—
Lily Meyer,
The Dial,
20 May 2025
-
That’s not to say the film isn’t funny or sweet, but that there is something much more profound and uncomfortable at its heart, and one that poses a tricky challenge for first-time filmmakers Johansson and Kamen.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
The companies that invest in neurodiversity today are unlocking game-changing innovation, future-proofing their organizations and setting a new standard for what an exceptional workplace looks like.—
Ben Semmes,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
To win the event, Scheffler compensated with his exceptional iron play (1.189 strokes gained approaching the green) and his skills around the green (1.208 strokes gained).—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rare. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share