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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of 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
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
This culture of veneration coexists with a significant unfamiliarity with the document and its implications.
—Big Think, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Adjective
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
Noun
These players may be more susceptible to injury due to limited experience, unfamiliarity with the game or lower level of physical fitness, the study noted.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
This culture of veneration coexists with a significant unfamiliarity with the document and its implications.
—Big Think, 10 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
Noun
-
During which Helm suffered loneliness, inconsequence and ignorance – an original and terrible fugue state.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
While potentially shakier data may cause volatility in markets later this week, for now ignorance appears to be bliss.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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
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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
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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
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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
-
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
-
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 11 Nov. 2025.
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