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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Recent Examples of unfamiliar
Bo Bichette returned from injury to play some second base — an unfamiliar position — just when the Blue Jays needed him in the World Series.
—
Chad Jennings, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
This helps reveal whether the same basic ingredients—such as water, carbon compounds, and silicates—exist in distant star systems or if 3I/ATLAS contains unfamiliar materials that hint at a different cosmic environment.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Gomez said Bouvier asked him about a year ago to organize a project around the chapel and involve young people in it, many of whom are unfamiliar with its origins in Chasse-sur-Rhône.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The series pits teams of two contestants, who usually know each other prior, against each other in a race across unfamiliar lands toward a $1 million cash prize.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Chad Jennings, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
This helps reveal whether the same basic ingredients—such as water, carbon compounds, and silicates—exist in distant star systems or if 3I/ATLAS contains unfamiliar materials that hint at a different cosmic environment.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Gomez said Bouvier asked him about a year ago to organize a project around the chapel and involve young people in it, many of whom are unfamiliar with its origins in Chasse-sur-Rhône.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The series pits teams of two contestants, who usually know each other prior, against each other in a race across unfamiliar lands toward a $1 million cash prize.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar
Adjective
-
But then something strange happened.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This addictive, loping track is one of the best and strangest songs from the artist’s fifth album.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
When the humans return, there are only a handful, better clothed, hair braided and combed, new fashions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In September, Vanity Fair wrote a story detailing new revelations around his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson’s correspondence with the disgraced financier.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The novel centers on Rose, a wife and mother who has recently moved to a picturesque mansion in Florida with her husband Grant and son James.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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The staffing problem at Miami Correctional is also hardly novel.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Mamdani’s unprecedented ability to dominate the internet has led many to attribute his rise wholly to social media.—
Taylor Lorenz,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The unprecedented decision to halt benefits has panicked many recipients, driving them to overwhelmed food pantries to help feed themselves and their families.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Top news OpenAI taps AWS Amazon shares closed at a record high Monday after OpenAI agreed to buy $38 billion worth of AWS capacity in a fresh sign that the ChatGPT developer is no longer dependent on Microsoft.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
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This month, young readers can curl up with nonfiction explorations of the galaxy, thumb through an old astronomy textbook with a fresh new story to tell, or experience the peace of being (almost) alone on the moon.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
During which Helm suffered loneliness, inconsequence and ignorance – an original and terrible fugue state.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Authorities did not release the owner’s identity or the monkeys’ original destination, citing confidentiality agreements.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Whatever was written or printed on the paper remains unknown.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
-
More than 11 years on, at least 91 abductees are still missing or have unknown fates.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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