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 Insiders close to the film say the tracking was overly aggressive due to Johnson’s star status, and that a $6 million start isn’t uncommon during awards season. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2025 Diddy faces a maximum of ten years on each transportation count; if Subramanian made the uncommon decision to sentence him consecutively, this would be a 20-year term. Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025 While carriage disputes are far from uncommon, especially as the economics of pay-TV become increasingly pressured in an era of cord-cutting, YouTube TV as a distributor has a unique profile. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025 Devine noted that tariffs on cotton imports are uncommon in textile producing countries since the nations want to support the sector. Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncommon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommon
Adjective
  • This is not particularly unusual, and in a traditional 4-2-3-1 system, forcing a team down one side is effective.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The lawsuit is the first to challenge the administration's unusual use of partisan messaging in government communications during the shutdown, which legal experts told NPR may violate federal ethics laws.
    Shannon Bond, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The new qubits rely on erbium, a rare-earth element valued for its clean optical properties and strong magnetic interactions.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Instant Game Maker gives kids the rare thrill of turning their doodles into actual playable video games.
    Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As a result, Ecuador has avoided the extraordinary inflation that has afflicted so many nations in South America, including Argentina.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Created in her honor, this rose symbolizes her lifelong mission to protect people, animals, and the environment, offering gardeners a living reminder of her extraordinary impact and enduring message of hope.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Known for their loud personalities, huskies are no stranger to using their voices, but a video of a senior, deaf husky's silent howl is proving that even without sound, the breed still speaks volumes.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Holland also told police about other strange behavior, including an argument while shopping at Wal-Mart, where Overstreet looked at her angrily and pointed at a missing person's picture of Myers posted inside the store.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Rivian produces adventure-ready electric vehicles with high power outputs and exceptional ground clearance.
    Charles Singh, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • This dual-purpose design requires exceptional stiffness, vibration control, and precision engineering, allowing heavy highway loads and high-speed rail traffic to share the same structure safely.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Jonathan was so funny and quick-witted for such a young kid.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Having this really intense action scene, and then all of a sudden a joke, a funny moment.
    H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These unique skills are essential for the one requirement that the commission must do — pass a balanced budget.
    Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
  • 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, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The weird winning season Derek Anderson The Browns have had four winning seasons since 1999, with three of them (2002, 2020, 2023) leading to the playoffs.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • There is something weird about the audio part of it all.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Uncommon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommon. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on uncommon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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