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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfamiliar
He was left with an unfamiliar emptiness.
—
Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The French had long prohibited the use of poisons as unfamiliar plants or concoctions were often understood to be at the time, and traditional healing practices were likewise restricted or banned.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
Eye Mask Sleeping while adjusting to an unfamiliar environment can be a challenge.
—Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
The software company, which focuses on data analytics, is not unfamiliar with controversy, given long-standing accusations that its tools are used for government surveillance.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The French had long prohibited the use of poisons as unfamiliar plants or concoctions were often understood to be at the time, and traditional healing practices were likewise restricted or banned.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
Eye Mask Sleeping while adjusting to an unfamiliar environment can be a challenge.
—Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
The software company, which focuses on data analytics, is not unfamiliar with controversy, given long-standing accusations that its tools are used for government surveillance.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar
Adjective
-
The sounds had become a strange new normal for the diverse Central neighborhood.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
-
And there was a strange preoccupation with running out of time, even though the show ended a good 15 minutes early as if the performers didn’t understand their own timeline.—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Given the actors' previous antics on the podcast, however, there's a big question mark over how sincere Glassman's new comments are.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The moratorium, which was confirmed by the league, was necessary because the sides failed to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement or an extension of the current one by Friday night’s deadline.—
Doug Feinberg,
Twin Cities,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
By grafting old-school procedural pleasures onto a 24-esque real-time format, the show produced a genuinely novel structure in the post-prestige era that was impossible to look away from.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
-
May 5 Schumacher is really funny (her hilarious novel Dear Committee Member won the Thurber Prize)!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Safavi described the scale of the demonstrations as unprecedented.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Here, sea level rise is accelerating at some of the most extreme rates on Earth, while hurricanes increasingly are swirling ashore with an unprecedented ferociousness.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The New York-style market, which has locations in Stallings and Lancaster, SC, will have fresh pasta and mozzarella, gelato, espresso stations and more.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
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Quarterback is a question-mark, with Kyler Murray more likely to get a fresh start than return to Arizona.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The driver was shot and wounded, and the passenger was injured when the van crashed seconds later, according to the original statement from DHS.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
-
So, where is the original cast of Dynasty now?—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The cause of the fire is still unknown.—
Ashley Portillo,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Currently, details about the containment or cause of the fire are unknown.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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