unfamiliar 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər How to pronounce unfamiliar (audio)
Definition of unfamiliarnext
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

unfamiliarity

2 of 2

noun

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

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
Adjective
Watch Orion rise this month, and the familiar figure can look decidedly unfamiliar at first. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Robinson believes social media creators can help introduce audiences to unfamiliar cuisines while encouraging residents to explore restaurants outside their usual dining experiences. — Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
The reasons are many, ranging from the slow adoption of new medical technologies, to many urologists’ unfamiliarity with interpreting MRI scans, to the loss of income from doing fewer biopsies. — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026 Even a short period can act as an emotional and mental buffer, allowing your brain to re-adjust from the excitement and unfamiliarity of the road back to a standard, daily schedule. — Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar
  1. strange
  2. new
  3. novel
  4. unprecedented
  5. fresh
  6. original
  7. unknown
Adjective
  • The small army at Kostabi World turned out images of featureless characters moving through strange, otherworldly scenes, caught between intimacy, alienation, and the discomfort of contemporary life.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The first bit of growth might be especially strange-looking, says Sutcliffe.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Therefore, additional heavy rain may quickly create new areas of flooding and cause previous areas of flooding to redevelop.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Ukrainian defense tech Buntar Aerospace has raised $16 million in a new financing round to expand production, develop its autonomous systems and enter new markets.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of new
Adjective
  • When Anderson was first diagnosed in the late 1990s, the hepatitis C virus was still relatively novel.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Both clubs sit on hills surrounded by pine trees, offering a cool escape from the city and a novel way to immerse yourself in something that has become a fixture of 2026 Medellín.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of novel
Adjective
  • What’s going to move the shopping needle for accessories for spring 2027 will most likely be driven by unprecedented colors.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The base level of availability expected of people who work is unprecedented.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of unprecedented
Adjective
  • Up the street and over a few blocks is Salud Taqueria, from Jesús Méndez and Christina Tellez, which uses fresh-ground masa as a base for its Mexican menu.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • According to Reuters, JPMorgan analysts read the move as an acceleration of barrels already promised, not a fresh intervention.
    — Heather Occhino, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of fresh
Adjective
  • The Fox reboot is being showrun by Matt Nix (Burn Notice),while many of the original creators are back to EP, including Michael Berk, Greg Bonann and Doug Schwartz, alongside new EPs Dante Di Loreto and Mike Horowitz.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The original series won the Golden Globe for best drama in 2019 and routinely lands near the top of lists hailing the best TV series of the past quarter century.
    — Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of original
Adjective
  • Garlic confit, turkey deli meat, pickles, jalapeño marinade, pesto and an unknown sauce were held past seven days in the walk-in cooler.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • While a military connection is possible, Wienand said the identity of the hoard's owner remains unknown.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of unknown

Browse Nearby Words

unfaltering
unfamiliar
unfamiliarity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abscond

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All