as in strange
not known or experienced before
ordered an unfamiliar wine and was surprised to find that it was much drier than what they were used to
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 unfamiliar
According to the distillery, both expressions were created as an homage to Scottish artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a Glaswegian known for his contributions to the British Art Nouveau movement (a name that might be unfamiliar to most non-art studies majors).
—
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2025
But the encounter was deeply unsettling for Shifu, who is known to be reactive toward unfamiliar dogs after previous attacks.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
The new deal with Boom is not unfamiliar territory for the Colorado Air and Space Port.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025
As for the identity of Aradia herself, the name is unfamiliar to contemporary speakers of the dialects spoken in the Tuscany and Romagna regions that Leland allegedly visited.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2025
But the encounter was deeply unsettling for Shifu, who is known to be reactive toward unfamiliar dogs after previous attacks.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
The new deal with Boom is not unfamiliar territory for the Colorado Air and Space Port.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025
As for the identity of Aradia herself, the name is unfamiliar to contemporary speakers of the dialects spoken in the Tuscany and Romagna regions that Leland allegedly visited.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar
Adjective
-
The Bengals added Fairchild in the third, so adding another lineman while there were more pressing needs is strange, especially a raw lineman like Rivers.—
Mark Weinstein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Moses’s book eddies around with the energy of someone reporting back from a very long and strange evening clicking through Wikipedia links, enjoying every chance to add a tangent.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
George and Amal were welcomed to Brignoles by the mayor, who shared a photo with the couple outside their new home in 2021.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2025
-
You’re being invited to graduate from the lessons of your past and step into a new version of yourself.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Orlando, upon inspecting the wig, immediately appreciated the cap construction, which was a novel feature for both of us.—
Noel Cymone Walker,
StyleCaster,
2 May 2025
-
Teacup: The horror series, inspired by the novel Stinger, starred Yvonne Strahovski of The Handmaid’s Tale, but was canceled after one season.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Harvard, in return, protests its constitutional rights and academic independence, claiming this is an unprecedented government overreach.—
Larry P. Arnn,
National Review,
3 May 2025
-
Amid a wave of unprecedented tariffs, anxiety is running high for truck drivers like Helen, who makes her living delivering cargo containers from the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors to warehouses and other customers around Southern California.—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has a history of rotating running backs to keep them fresh while carving out specific roles on third down.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
No food dyes, no goopy corn syrup—just fresh, springy flavors.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Because of scheduling conflicts, McDermott and Hopkins replaced original actors Brady Noon and Jensen Ackles in major roles.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
-
The first two LPs feature the original record, while the remaining LPs collect a number of B-sides and rarities, alongside their 2004 BBC Radio 1 John Peel session, and seven demo recordings.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
The young man was decapitated after death for unknown reasons, although this was a ritualistic practice for some people during the Roman period.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Parents cannot read their kids' messages, but will receive alerts if the text messages contain images with explicit content, harmful words from unknown contacts, or links from unknown contacts.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share