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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 sui generis
But disruption was the point of Lunch Dances, the latest project of Monica Bill Barnes & Company, a sui generis enterprise with a mission to bring dance to unexpected places and in conversation with unlikely partners.
—
Brian Schaefer
july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
Almost all of Weill’s projects were sui generis, rejecting routine and experimenting anew.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
But the widespread panic and concerted opposition within Jordan suggest that the looming crisis is sui generis in its severity.
—Curtis R. Ryan, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
Dylan, of course, is sui generis, the kind of transcendent cultural avatar who comes along once in a century.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sui generis
Brian Schaefer
july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
Almost all of Weill’s projects were sui generis, rejecting routine and experimenting anew.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
But the widespread panic and concerted opposition within Jordan suggest that the looming crisis is sui generis in its severity.
—Curtis R. Ryan, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
Dylan, of course, is sui generis, the kind of transcendent cultural avatar who comes along once in a century.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sui generis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sui generis
Adjective
-
Spencer Danielson’s team started 3-1 last season with the only loss by a field goal at Oregon.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Sullivan University put its only residence hall for sale, moved to an off-campus housing model and downsized its campus offerings this year.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
The Bills didn’t convert a single third down the entire game, but their lone positive play on third down was due to Shavers winning his route on a 3rd-and-18 and drawing a defensive pass interference penalty to give the Bills offense a rare, earned first down.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
On the ensuing goal kick, Turner played the ball short to Matt Polster, who folded possession over heavy pressure, the ball falling to an on-rushing Delgado, who fired in the game’s lone goal.—
Julian Cardillo,
Boston Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Lee will face Republican Ruth Bittner in the special election on Sept. 16.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The latest episode comes out at 6 p.m. Wednesday and includes special guest Taylor Swift, the superstar singer who is dating Travis Kelce.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The move, a standing, forward-imploding springboard cutter, is one of the most unique finishers in all of wrestling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Big deal: The thawing IPO market may get one of its biggest — and unique — deals of all time later this year.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sui generis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sui%20generis. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share