Synonyms of unique

unique

adjective

yu̇-ˈnēk 

1

as in personal

of, relating to, or belonging to a single person

a comedian who brings a unique and twisted perspective to contemporary social issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

• personal
• personalized
• subjective
• private
• singular
• individual
• individualized
• particular
• patented
• distinctive
• separate
• peculiar
• idiomatic
• characteristic
• special
• privy
• specific
• idiosyncratic
• intimate
• identifying
• specialized
• independent
• customized
• custom
• express
• especial
• nonconformist
• self-sufficient
• self-directed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• general
• public
• popular
• universal
• generic
• broad
• widespread
• common
• prevalent
• shared
• typical
• normal
• regular
• prevailing

2

as in unusual

being out of the ordinary

the restaurant, specializing in fusion cuisine, provides a truly unique dining experience for those who can afford it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unusual
• extraordinary
• exceptional
• rare
• outstanding
• uncommon
• remarkable
• abnormal
• odd
• singular
• incredible
• atypical
• phenomenal
• peculiar
• exceeding
• anomalous
• striking
• noticeable
• aberrant
• especial
• unwonted
• notable
• prominent
• freak
• conspicuous
• bizarre
• uncustomary
• salient
• strange
• eccentric
• aberrated
• extraordinaire
• preternatural
• quaint
• weird
• deviant
• outlandish
• oddball
• incomprehensible
• inconceivable
• unimaginable
• freakish
• monstrous
• unthinkable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• normal
• typical
• ordinary
• usual
• customary
• familiar
• unextraordinary
• unexceptional
• frequent
• everyday

3

as in only

being the one or ones of a class with no other members

the Mapparium, a huge glass globe that visitors can walk through, is unique—there's not another one like it anywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

• only
• special
• one
• lone
• distinctive
• singular
• sole
• single
• solitary
• distinct
• sui generis
• alone
• unequalled
• unrivalled
• unparalleled
• one-off
• matchless
• unrivaled
• inimitable
• incomparable
• unequaled
• peerless
• unmatched
• unsurpassable
• unattended
• unaccompanied
• solo
• unsurpassed
• separate
• individual
• nonce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• myriad
• varied
• multifarious
• mixed
• miscellaneous
• manifold
• popular
• assorted
• heterogenous
• prevalent
• promiscuous
• prevailing
• divers
• patchwork
• recurrent
• rampant
• perennial
• motley
• repeated

4

as in uncommon

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced

a unique ability to add large sums in his head

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unusual
• uncommon
• funny
• strange
• weird
• rare
• extraordinary
• peculiar
• curious
• odd
• special
• offbeat
• bizarre
• singular
• out-of-the-way
• remarkable
• unaccustomed
• eccentric
• exceptional
• abnormal
• uncustomary
• queer
• atypical
• outlandish
• oddball
• noticeable
• noteworthy
• outré
• particular
• notable
• aberrant
• way-out
• far-out
• kookie
• kooky
• newsworthy
• irregular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• ordinary
• usual
• plain
• normal
• typical
• familiar
• regular
• unexceptional
• predictable
• expected

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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

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