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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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
-
The interdisciplinary approach brought the duke’s life and death to a stunning clarity — indicating how analyses can shed new light on age-old mysteries, even murders.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
-
While earning a master's degree in exercise and coaching science at University College Dublin, she was introduced to CrossFit and discovered a new kind of challenge with its emphasis on versatility and constant adaptation.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
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
-
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
-
This translation by Nancy Naomi Carlson preserves the rich musicality of the original French, as well as its frequent use of wordplay and often unusual word choice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Jim Carrey inducted Soundgarden, bringing out the late Chris Cornell’s eldest daughter, Lily Cornell Silver, to speak about her father and introduce a performance by his former Soundgarden bandmates, including original member Hiro Yamamoto, with Taylor Momsen and Brandi Carlisle singing vocals.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Nov. 2025
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 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share