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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfamiliar
In later grades, when there are no pictures or too many unfamiliar words to memorize, these readers would falter, and their reading troubles would hinder learning in other academic subjects.
—
Denise Amos, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
Yet this inspiring character’s childhood remains largely unfamiliar to the public.
—Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 June 2025
Besides, given that most of the leaders were largely unfamiliar with one another, a meeting would cultivate a spirit of trust and collaboration.
—Robert Hormats, Time, 10 June 2025
Action step: Volunteer for projects outside your usual scope to expand your skills and demonstrate your ability to thrive in unfamiliar territory.
—Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Denise Amos, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
Yet this inspiring character’s childhood remains largely unfamiliar to the public.
—Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 June 2025
Besides, given that most of the leaders were largely unfamiliar with one another, a meeting would cultivate a spirit of trust and collaboration.
—Robert Hormats, Time, 10 June 2025
Action step: Volunteer for projects outside your usual scope to expand your skills and demonstrate your ability to thrive in unfamiliar territory.
—Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 6 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
Adjective
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Over at Brooks’s, Shai comes over and teaches him how to use his new sewing machine, which is a fascinating dynamic because Shai is an agent’s assistant while Brooks is a clothing designer.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
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Meanwhile, the brand’s new Paris headquarters, to be officially unveiled in September, will feature pieces by close collaborators including Daniel Silver and Max Lamb.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
This novel satellite system has allowed the researchers to produce the first ever full year of satellite tracking data over Canada, according to Western University.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
20 June 2025
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There are some new and novel ideas that might provide a way around this challenge.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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The Chinese military has concluded its unprecedented dual aircraft carrier deployment in the broader western Pacific, as one of the warships was spotted leaving the region, Japan has said.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
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Thousands of vibrant fragments, which once adorned a high-status Roman building, offer an unprecedented glimpse into the artistic sophistication and daily life of ancient Londinium, and their rearrangement is showcasing artworks that have remained hidden for over 1,800 years.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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The complimentary chips were fresh and crisp and stood up well to the mild, thin red salsa (served in a small carafe to be poured into individual small bowls), the cheese dip and the guacamole.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
25 June 2025
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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
Adjective
-
The first-stage booster that had been tapped during the original attempts was discarded for a new booster.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 June 2025
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The first trailer for the game begins with a conversation between M, Bond’s classic superior and occasional foil, and Greenway, an original character described by IO Interactive’ website as a mentor figure (although no voice actors for the roles have been announced).—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
At this time, the containment status is unknown and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2025
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Bell’s status for the start of training camp is unknown.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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