as in only
being the one or ones of a class with no other members
among history's greats Leonardo da Vinci is often considered sui generis—a man of such stupendous genius that the world may never see his like again
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Recent Examples of sui generis
Critics hailed Born to Run as a crowning achievement, something both sui generis and revitalizing.
—
Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Meeting Byrne at his office was like getting a glimpse inside the psyche of an artist who has forged a sui generis career exploring music and storytelling in many different styles and forms, Aswad says.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
The results were jolting and sui generis.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
As a rising leader in the global energy sector, Guyana is using its hydrocarbon wealth to stake out a sui generis leadership role in global climate conversations with an ambitious agenda for biodiversity protection and sustainable growth.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sui generis
Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Meeting Byrne at his office was like getting a glimpse inside the psyche of an artist who has forged a sui generis career exploring music and storytelling in many different styles and forms, Aswad says.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
The results were jolting and sui generis.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
As a rising leader in the global energy sector, Guyana is using its hydrocarbon wealth to stake out a sui generis leadership role in global climate conversations with an ambitious agenda for biodiversity protection and sustainable growth.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sui generis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sui generis
Adjective
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The only surefire way to avoid this modern-day traveler's burnout is by taking the path less traveled.—
Travel + Leisure,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Oct. 2025
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But the Kirk commentary isn't the only potential source of the downward turn.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.—
SI.com,
SI.com,
3 Aug. 2019
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Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.—
Johannes Himmelreich,
BostonGlobe.com,
30 Mar. 2018
Adjective
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The growing trend of player-for-player marking can also mean that teams can bypass an opponent’s midfield with direct passes when building up, allowing an attacking midfielder, two wingers, and a lone striker to stay high and push the opposition back towards their own goal.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Some investigators argued for a lone killer, while others suggested a network of individuals acting under occult motivations.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Swets, who has expertise with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), formed Greenland Exploration with his investment and merchant banking firm, FG Nexus, and agreed to merge with March GL and find a suitable SPAC to take the company public.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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There were also special video messages from Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey and Michelle Yeoh.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Participants will learn the differences between dabbling and diving ducks, their unique characteristics and how to use eBird to find local waterfowl viewing hot spots.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
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Its unique geography, between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, along with its mountain surroundings, offers an enviable climate with hot summers and mild winters.—
Kimberly Lyn,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sui generis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sui%20generis. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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