Synonym Chooser

How is the word uncommon distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of uncommon are infrequent, rare, scarce, and sporadic. While all these words mean "not common or abundant," uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation.

smallpox is now uncommon in many countries

When could infrequent be used to replace uncommon?

In some situations, the words infrequent and uncommon are roughly equivalent. However, infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.

infrequent family visits

When would rare be a good substitute for uncommon?

The words rare and uncommon are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.

rare first editions

When is it sensible to use scarce instead of uncommon?

While in some cases nearly identical to uncommon, scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance.

jobs were scarce during the Depression

In what contexts can sporadic take the place of uncommon?

The words sporadic and uncommon can be used in similar contexts, but sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.

sporadic cases of influenza

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 uncommon In April, Tarrant County Commissioners began an uncommon mid-decade redistricting process, hiring the Public Interest Legal Foundation to assist. Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2025 With the way the idol industry works, that’s not necessarily uncommon for groups who are that far into their existence. Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 22 May 2025 Incidents like these are not uncommon, said Mary Schiavo, a CNN transportation analyst and former inspector general of the US Department of Transportation. Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2025 Then again, this drought is uncommon for the 22-year-old center fielder. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncommon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommon
Adjective
  • Listen to this article The Rent Guidelines Board lowered the range of potential rent increases for some 2 million New Yorkers in an unusual redo vote Tuesday — a move that comes as the issue of freezing rents has taken center stage in the contentious mayoral race.
    Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
  • In an unusual step earlier this month, five former directors of the National Weather Service signed an open letter warning that the Trump administration’s cuts to the weather service and its parent agency NOAA may endanger lives.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Zaslav sidesteps the rare direct questions on pay, like at a NYC Dealbook Summit in the fall of 2023.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 May 2025
  • Trade shows, in particular, are one of the rare arenas where the playing field is level.
    Sanjay Ghare, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • The show will feature a wide range of extraordinary cars, trucks, and vehicles along with live music.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • The film chronicles the extraordinary story of a group of inmates who defied the odds to create a timeless piece of art.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Because of this strange clustering, the Atlantic Shark Institute has posted signs around Narragansett alerting beachgoers to be on the lookout.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • The long strange trip is proving to be even longer than anyone thought.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • The site is exceptional: The North Branch of the Chicago River winds through its full length, offering an opportunity to weave parkland through the development.
    Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • All of our leathers are carefully selected from the finest tanneries in the world for their exceptional quality and functional capability.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • There are enough quotable lines of dialogue in the movie’s first half to remind you why Succession was, pound for pound, one of the most profanely funny shows on TV during its run.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 May 2025
  • Because to us, the most funny things are right next to the most tragic things.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • This is not unique to Arizona, Famiglietti said, with similar signs of disappearing groundwater happening in the agriculture-heavy Central Valley in California.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
  • But that physical training couldn’t prepare him for the unique psychological experience of reaching the top of the world--and then returning safely.
    Mark Joyella, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Just a weird observation about the oscillator that is worth pointing out.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 May 2025
  • His monsters are inventive and weird — and almost endlessly memeable.
    Sam Thielman, New York Times, 21 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uncommon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommon. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on uncommon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!