Synonyms of uncommon

uncommon

adjective

ˌən-ˈkä-mən 

1

as in unusual

being out of the ordinary

a landscape of uncommon beauty

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unusual
• extraordinary
• exceptional
• unique
• rare
• abnormal
• odd
• outstanding
• remarkable
• singular
• exceeding
• atypical
• incredible
• anomalous
• peculiar
• phenomenal
• noticeable
• unwonted
• aberrant
• especial
• striking
• uncustomary
• notable
• prominent
• freak
• conspicuous
• preternatural
• salient
• aberrated
• strange
• bizarre
• eccentric
• extraordinaire
• inconceivable
• weird
• outlandish
• deviant
• incomprehensible
• quaint
• unthinkable
• unimaginable
• oddball
• freakish
• monstrous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• normal
• typical
• ordinary
• usual
• customary
• unexceptional
• frequent
• familiar
• unextraordinary
• everyday

2

as in rare

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced

backyard swimming pools are not an uncommon sight in that neighborhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unusual
• rare
• strange
• funny
• weird
• extraordinary
• peculiar
• curious
• unique
• odd
• bizarre
• special
• offbeat
• singular
• out-of-the-way
• abnormal
• unaccustomed
• uncustomary
• remarkable
• eccentric
• exceptional
• noticeable
• queer
• atypical
• outlandish
• noteworthy
• outré
• oddball
• notable
• particular
• aberrant
• newsworthy
• far-out
• way-out
• kookie
• irregular
• kooky

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• ordinary
• usual
• plain
• normal
• typical
• unexceptional
• familiar
• regular
• predictable
• expected

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

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