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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 Wild horses were rare in this part of the Jemez, but a line of large, round prints marked the place where a heavy animal had walked down the edge of the pit and into a tangle of alders. Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025 In a surprise move, Madigan took the stand in his own defense last month — a decision that was rare for a public corruption trial and left the former speaker exposed to a brutal cross-examination. Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025 Closed caucus meetings used to be so rare The Tennessean in 2016 reported on one meeting when media was asked to leave. Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025 There are also export tariffs, which are taxes on goods brought out of a country, though these are much more rare. Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 2 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rare 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rare
Adjective
  • Not fun: conflating all unusual, standalone, departure, or otherwise distinctive episodes into the term bottle episode.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Such views are unusual, given how negative Chinese public opinion is about Japan, and vice versa.
    Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Choose from savories like Maine lobster and caviar sandwiches and decadent sweets such as a Sacher torte, all while sipping from exquisite glassware.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
  • But a couple of years ago food stylist Caroline Hwang, who is also co-founder of Synonym magazine, introduced me to her recipe for the Hawaiian version featuring furikake and a sweet soy sauce glaze that caramelizes in the oven to exquisite crunchiness.
    Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Emma has been some fabulous version of blonde for quite some time now, interrupting her fair-haired streak with the occasional brunette detour.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Fortunately, President Donald Trump recognizes that pairing a big stick with an occasional carrot can shape adversaries’ behavior more effectively than continual confrontation.
    Reid Smith, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But having some form of a relationship with someone who has narcissism is not uncommon.
    Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Johnson personally made calls to legislators to share his position, which was uncommon.
    Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The course is part of a series of extraordinary adaptations that America’s military is making amid one of its greatest recruiting shortfalls since the draft was abolished, more than fifty years ago.
    Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Then there was Bambi, who was quite extraordinary looking with huge eyes and the longest eyelashes.
    Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Interior Designers Storie Collective Functional and elegant, this spacious family kitchen by Storie Collective features a large island and gorgeous stone aplenty.
    Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 5 Feb. 2025
  • This sheer fragrance is the perfume equivalent of a crisp white button-down—refined, elegant, and understated (and works well both on its own or layered).
    Emily Orofino, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The actor simply finds something too funny to contain him or herself.
    Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
  • And McGrath, who didn’t resort to telling jokes or making funny faces to force a smile out of Krzystof, literally took matters into her own hands.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Photo by Rita Harper Day 4: Fly over alligators, bite into barracuda, and hunt antiques Grab a quick (but exceptional) quiche at the hotel Columns before a 20-minute drive to the Maurepas Swamp, northwest of New Orleans.
    Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The forward owner’s suite is also full beam, offering up space and exceptional water views.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near rare

Cite this Entry

“Rare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rare. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rare

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