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
Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Zhang hopes Nighttime Sounds will use arthouse technique to convey the unspoken emotional lives of rural villagers — feelings rarely expressed even within their own communities, let alone to outsiders unfamiliar with China’s countryside.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
But two weeks before, McMahon exposed her unfamiliarity with the technology after calling it A1, as in the steak sauce, while speaking on a panel about education innovation.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Adjective
But most importantly, these interactions generated viral social media content that reached millions of people unfamiliar with Turning Point.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Zhang hopes Nighttime Sounds will use arthouse technique to convey the unspoken emotional lives of rural villagers — feelings rarely expressed even within their own communities, let alone to outsiders unfamiliar with China’s countryside.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
As Palace struggled at times in the face of Sunderland’s defensive shield, Pino was a shining light, but there were signs of the 22-year-old’s rawness and unfamiliarity with the way his new team play.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
But two weeks before, McMahon exposed her unfamiliarity with the technology after calling it A1, as in the steak sauce, while speaking on a panel about education innovation.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar
Adjective
-
The story becomes less of a character study of the strange ways in which grief manifests and more about the escalating hijinks of a lie that takes on a wild life of its own.—
Lindsey Bahr,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The options were powerful, immortal, stranger or wanderer.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Also, don’t mistake your own ignorance & apathy as universal or admirable.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Sep. 2025
-
My only advice is to NOT believe her if MIL tries to claim ignorance of the dangers that have informed your decision about phones.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Evans said building a new parking garage near downtown would cost over $20 million, and that space is limited in the area for new lots or parking structures.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The show is one of several new offerings on Brilliant Lady, which sailed its maiden voyage in early September, and USA TODAY was among the first to see the show.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Treasury’s catch-all basket for global economic cleanup, called the Exchange Stabilization Fund, has been used in novel ways before, but snapping up foreign debt is unusual.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
23 Sep. 2025
-
According to World Intellectual Property Organization, a patentable invention needs to be novel and non-obvious.—
Lucy Xiaolu Wang,
The Conversation,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Raleigh went on to an unprecedented individual season, and now his team has a chance to make history of its own.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The Olivier honors included an unprecedented Best Supporting Actor award to the puppeteers who operate the tiger named Richard Parker (named so because of a clerical error in filing after his capture).—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As the summer crowds fade and cooler air sweeps in at America's national parks, the trails feel more inviting and the landscapes take on a fresh beauty.—
Dave Parfitt,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Designed with the comfort of a slipper but maintaining the brand’s signature style, the flats are a fresh take for the season.—
Essence,
Essence,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Consider taking screenshots of booking pages that show the original flight times and prices.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
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As a media brand whose mission is to elevate depth, nuance, and original reporting in an algorithmic environment that rewards shouting, the vertical strategy provides a unique lane for The Dispatch to grow membership and revenue.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Her first best friend was a girl called Daphne, who died suddenly, for reasons unknown; her new friend Frances Niven also liked reading and writing.—
Frances Wilson
September 23,
Literary Hub,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Though starting a new, unknown chapter, Shearer decided to publicly share everything from her decision to shave her head to her varied complications and hospital visits.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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