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 Using historic materials for science isn’t uncommon — especially in paleontology or archaeology — but it’s less often used for wildlife research, Corti said. Marlowe Starling, CNN Money, 14 May 2025 This isn’t uncommon, because economic activity is cyclical. Erica E. Phillips, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2025 Fatal bus accidents, the AP reported, are not uncommon in Sri Lanka, especially mountainous areas like the site of the May 11 accident. Bailey Richards, People.com, 11 May 2025 In Crosslake, members of the local Republican party were organizing a protest and boat parade for Saturday morning, which is not uncommon for a governor whose popularity in greater Minnesota has varied widely since Walz was first elected in 2018. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncommon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommon
Adjective
  • In that respect, Alonso is not necessarily unusual.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • If anything seems unusual, trust your instincts and stop the communication immediately.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Melania Trump to make rare appearance to unveil Barbara Bush stamp.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • As the show heads into its season finale — and with a fourth season already greenlit — Rodriguez sees Will Trent as a rare opportunity to blend procedural structure with emotional storytelling.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Competing against 12 choirs from across California — including teams from Los Angeles County, Visalia, Sacramento, and San Diego — as well as schools from Arizona and Nevada, the young ensemble scored an extraordinary 99 out of 100 points, according to a news release.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
  • Stone’s life meandered from extraordinary creative highs to long periods of creative inactivity marked by questionable choices, in his career and in his life.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • From the window of his 46th-floor downtown office, attorney Scott Sheftall noticed a strange, solitary cloud that worried him.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025
  • Thankfully, Karr and his team knew where to look, starting with the strange way a common type of bacteria functions in fruit flies.
    Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • The companies that invest in neurodiversity today are unlocking game-changing innovation, future-proofing their organizations and setting a new standard for what an exceptional workplace looks like.
    Ben Semmes, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • The engine of Czech youngster Mathias Vacek has been exceptional — almost single-handedly gifting Pedersen the win on stage five by bridging several gaps before performing a perfect leadout.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • His translation recognizes, here and throughout, that the original is funny and compelling enough not to need elaborate explanation, even 60 years after its debut.
    Lily Meyer, The Dial, 20 May 2025
  • That’s not to say the film isn’t funny or sweet, but that there is something much more profound and uncomfortable at its heart, and one that poses a tricky challenge for first-time filmmakers Johansson and Kamen.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • But in the middle is this new, unique tea experience.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • My iPhones, for example, are all protected by unique, 10-digit PINs.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • In this instance there was a weird misunderstanding about which some of the people on the WGA Board chose to assume the worst.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025
  • These shows are inherently weird, and weird goes hand in hand with art.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Uncommon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommon. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on uncommon

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