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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 There are 16 different colors to choose from, including unique choices like cascade blue, wander yellow and a smoky desert print. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025 Parents can help by setting limits, encouraging honest talks about online beauty messages, and reminding kids that real beauty includes every unique face. ​wendy Wisner, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025 That’s because juvenile species are unique. Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 While Ireland is almost unique in Europe in having no far-right members of parliament, recent years have brought a sharp rise in the profile of anti-immigrant groups with regular rallies to demand curbs on immigration. Reuters, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unique
Adjective
  • The shake-up leaves an unusual number of spots open on the party’s Central Committee, which began its term in 2022 with 205 members and 171 non-voting alternates.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Moose Jaw was actually unusual for its welcoming of Chinese immigrants, no small achievement in the often violently racist response to Asian immigrants to North America.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The only surefire way to avoid this modern-day traveler's burnout is by taking the path less traveled.
    Travel + Leisure, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But the Kirk commentary isn't the only potential source of the downward turn.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While factory closures have not been uncommon over the past year, BGMEA officials say the industry is facing mounting pressures.
    Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Unlike Major League Baseball, fire sales are highly uncommon in the NFL when teams fall out of playoff contention.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Flueger, who has portrayed Adam Ruzek since the series premiered in 2014, is taking the time to deal with a personal matter and plans to return later this season, Entertainment Weekly has learned.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The airport has put out green donation bins accepting nonperishable food and personal care items for unpaid federal airport workers, according to a social media post from Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
    Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Friday's purge reduces to just four the number of men serving on the Central Military Commission (CMC), including Xi – an extraordinary concentration of power, according to analysts.
    Deirdre Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The Diet convened for an extraordinary session to elect Takaichi, who took over after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned with his cabinet earlier in the morning.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Swets, who has expertise with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), formed Greenland Exploration with his investment and merchant banking firm, FG Nexus, and agreed to merge with March GL and find a suitable SPAC to take the company public.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • There were also special video messages from Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey and Michelle Yeoh.
    Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Kristen Bell and her husband Dax Shepard are known to be funny, but one joke has kept them in the public eye all week.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The film is also possibly Reichardt’s funniest thus far.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Parents control what content plays, while kids build their own playlists and get personalized recommendations based on their listening habits.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • At Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba, Rosewood Mayakoba, and the upcoming Alila Mayakoba (a property centered on holistic well-being), guests can experience authentic, personalized treatments rooted in nature and culture.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unique. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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