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
as in ignorance
the state of being unaware or uninformed
some intense studying rapidly remedied my unfamiliarity with the subject in time for the exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar
Adjective
-
This film is set entirely inside a taxi cab that Panahi is driving around Tehran, as different people drift in and out of his car with their own strange and very personal dramas.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
-
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
Noun
-
In a system built on civilian oversight of military and diplomatic power, ignorance becomes a liability.—
Nuri Kino,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
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Commendably, both men filled their work with regular professions of their own ignorance.—
Lewis Hyde,
Harpers Magazine,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Affectionately, the 35-year-old pop star is not known for setting or chasing trends, instead using fashion to tease new musical eras or evoke a sense of girl-next-door relatability.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
29 June 2025
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Either way, your new bedding just might invoke dreams of France: All Sijo linen is sourced from Normandy, which has a centuries-old tradition of producing top-notch linen.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
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
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That strategy is believed to be unprecedented and is being challenged in court.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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None of which, sad to say, is terribly fresh or exciting.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
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
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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
-
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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