1
2
3
4

Try This Instead

For
Try This
unique characteristics
distinctive characteristics
peculiar characteristics
specific characteristics
special characteristics
especial characteristics
a unique design
a distinct design
a distinctive design
an exclusive design
an unparalleled design
an unprecedented design
a unique perspective
an exclusive perspective
an original perspective
a distinct perspective
an unusual perspective
a different perspective
a unique situation
an unusual situation
an uncommon situation
an unparalleled situation
an exceptional situation
an unprecedented situation

Synonym Chooser

How is the word unique distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of unique are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, and strange. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

When would eccentric be a good substitute for unique?

While in some cases nearly identical to unique, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When can erratic be used instead of unique?

The meanings of erratic and unique largely overlap; however, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Where would odd be a reasonable alternative to unique?

The words odd and unique are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of unique?

In some situations, the words outlandish and unique are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When could peculiar be used to replace unique?

The synonyms peculiar and unique are sometimes interchangeable, but peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When might quaint be a better fit than unique?

Although the words quaint and unique have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is singular a more appropriate choice than unique?

The words singular and unique can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can strange take the place of unique?

While the synonyms strange and unique are close in meaning, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

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 unique Still, the implosion of the Titan submersible in June 2023, which killed five people, stands out to him as unique for several reasons. Adam Carlson, People.com, 12 June 2025 The store will create 350 jobs for the local community and offer unique products including Taiwanese-style rice rolls and Chinese crepes, the company said. Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025 Astrid stands out as a positive representation of a confident and smart young woman who doesn’t rely on her beauty, but rather her instincts and her unique skill set. Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 12 June 2025 This is not unique to Arizona, Famiglietti said, with similar signs of disappearing groundwater happening in the agriculture-heavy Central Valley in California. Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for unique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unique
Adjective
  • The deceptive advertisement asks for personal information, including your full name, license plate number, and the last five digits of the vehicle registration number.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • Mia Matthews, an actress, previously pleaded guilty to evading federal income taxes in 2005 and 2007 by trying to conceal personal expenditures by using limited liability companies, a business bank account and a law firm trust account controlled by one of Bob Matthews’ Florida lawyers.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • The unusual incident was documented on a Reddit page dedicated to all things Walmart.
    Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2025
  • Hamas issued an unusual warning about another hostage, Matan Zangauker, saying Israel's military had surrounded the area where he's held and that any harm that came to him during a rescue attempt would be Israel's responsibility.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • Madonna is far from the only celebrity to have been spotted with purses by Aupen — Taylor Swift was notably spotted on a date with Travis Kelce in October 2023 wearing the brand's Nirvana bag in black.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 14 June 2025
  • Musk also backtracked from his threat to begin decommissioning the Dragon spacecraft, currently the only way for the US government to send people to the International Space Station.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Disagreeing with your boss is not uncommon, but there are ways to make your criticism stick without involving others—in this case, the American public.
    Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The idea of achieving ‘dominion’ over the world and society is not uncommon in charismatic Christian theology, according to religious scholar Matthew Taylor, who studies Christian Nationalism.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • This extraordinary high-altitude migration highlights the their unique physiological adaptations, offering valuable insight into how animals can evolve to overcome extreme environmental challenges.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • But Madigan’s extraordinary four days of testimony, in the end, weren’t enough.
    Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Adjective
  • Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from doctors and dermatologists.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 14 June 2025
  • The fee-free days only waive fees for standard amenities, which do not include fees or costs associated with campground reservations, cabin rentals or special tours.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • From funny reactions to adorable giggles, see some of the best moments from Thursday's big game Comments Taylor Swift is back in her sporty era!
    Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 13 June 2025
  • Roman is my kind of Virgil—chatty, funny, forgiving, sharp.
    Marina Harss, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab at a DUI checkpoint, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside. Field sobriety tests are subjective and may not accurately measure sobriety, according to Bee archives.
    Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
  • Today, the Michelin Guide has become a vaunted yet controversial subjective yardstick by which restaurants are measured.
    Tulasi Srinivas, The Conversation, 3 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unique. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unique

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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