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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfamiliar
Her sudden fear of water, loud noises, or unfamiliar places.
—
Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 23 June 2025
While unfamiliar to most English fans on his arrival, Tottenham had to fight off significant interest from Newcastle United and Eintracht Frankfurt.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Customers are unfamiliar with loquats, or opt instead to buy more zesty and palatable Small Batch bestsellers like Pineapple Pepper Jam or Raspberry Jalapeno.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
Past behavior in public and unfamiliar settings (such as staying in touch, remaining calm, and effectively navigating situations).
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 23 June 2025
While unfamiliar to most English fans on his arrival, Tottenham had to fight off significant interest from Newcastle United and Eintracht Frankfurt.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Customers are unfamiliar with loquats, or opt instead to buy more zesty and palatable Small Batch bestsellers like Pineapple Pepper Jam or Raspberry Jalapeno.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
Past behavior in public and unfamiliar settings (such as staying in touch, remaining calm, and effectively navigating situations).
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar
Adjective
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The night before the baby junco landed in the research team’s net, a strange, shifting light filtered through the forest, not far from where the Long Trail, Vermont’s end-to-end hiking route, traverses the Mount Mansfield ridgeline.—
Madeline Bodin,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 June 2025
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But one of the strangest well wishes came not from a person, but a 1,400-foot-tall building.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
First discovered: 3:52 p.m. June 28 Initial location: El Dorado County, Calif. Fire type: Wildfire Fire name: Dry A new wildfire was reported today at 3:52 p.m. in El Dorado County, California.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2025
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The largest provisions in the legislation would extend expiring tax cuts and create a few new ones, and a dramatic increasing in spending on border security.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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To take full advantage of this novel solution, greater adoption is needed by standards organizations and industry groups.—
Srinivas Shekar,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Leave Burke aside for the moment, save to observe that Sullivan’s approach in invoking him was novel at a time when even like-minded activists preferred radicalism.—
Jack Butler,
National Review,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Such stalling of regulatory activity is unprecedented.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The scale of Squid Game’s success is indeed unprecedented.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
None of which, sad to say, is terribly fresh or exciting.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2025
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This particular recipe, which adds sauteed shrimp, white wine and fresh tarragon to the mix, leans toward the simpler preparation.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Because these are open-box deals, the items have been taken out of their original packaging and could arrive with minor scratches—but that won’t stop us from accepting the massive discount.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 June 2025
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The building is listed at $2.49 million, a drop from its original price of $2.9 million.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Currently, there is no data indicating the containment progress of the fire and its cause remains unknown.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2025
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The actual cost of the wedding is unknown, but Venice regional governor Luca Zaia originally estimated the cost between 20 million-30 million euros, or $23 million-$34 million, in a June 24 Reuters article.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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