1
as in unfamiliar
happening or existing without one's knowledge
unknown to me was the fact that while I was out, my family was hurriedly preparing a surprise birthday party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in novel
not known or experienced before
becoming a father brought unknown joy to his life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obscure
not widely known
looking for a relatively unknown singer to record the song
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of unknown
The collection’s whereabouts are unknown, most probably destroyed.
—
Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
The identity of the body is currently unknown and the case is now a death investigation.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
The cause, whether accidental or intentional, remains unknown and fixing the issue could take weeks or months, The National reported.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Horner was ousted from his role with immediate effect for reasons unknown.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknown
Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
The identity of the body is currently unknown and the case is now a death investigation.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
The cause, whether accidental or intentional, remains unknown and fixing the issue could take weeks or months, The National reported.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Horner was ousted from his role with immediate effect for reasons unknown.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknown
Adjective
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Even what a new employee might feel on their very first day — welcomed, oriented, and inspired, or lost in a maze of unfamiliar faces and spaces.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 Sep. 2025
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During their daytime searches, researchers found several unfamiliar-looking lizards, the study said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This novel rocks just as hard as its heroine, Opal, a badass Black singer in the ‘60s and ‘70s made in the image of icons like Grace Jones and Betty Davis.—
Lauren Morrow
September 9,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
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This allows bitBiome researchers to identify novel genes to insert into a standard laboratory protein-production organism and generate samples of potentially interesting new versions of the enzymes or proteins encoded by the isolated gene sequences.—
Steven Savage,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The brand’s giant green owl mascot dances badly, makes obscure pop culture references and pokes fun at the company’s push notifications.—
Leeron Walter,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Indeed, compared to 2005’s Broken Flowers, this is a wilfully obscure step back to his deadpan, experimental roots, a gentle, almost deliberately un-film that is best not viewed in too much proximity to the witching hour.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Because something very strange happens here.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Probably not, given the company’s strange hesitance to part ways with its current leadership.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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At the end of April 2022, the Russian army moved the Kuindzhi Art Museum's entire collection to a museum in the capital of the Donetsk People's Republic, a separatist and politically unrecognized territory annexed by Russia.—
Yegor Mostovshikov,
The Dial,
9 Sep. 2025
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Even in the early years after its publication, the novel’s feat didn’t go unrecognized.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie turned the wizardly backstory into an epic adventure, opening a gateway for young unbeknownst fantasy fans everywhere while also delivering a classically wholesome story about the importance of family and a parent's unconditional love.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
1 July 2024
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For a surprise at the end, unbeknownst even to King, Winfrey arranged a path lined with sparklers, framing the couple in a golden glow against the night sky.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2024
Adjective
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An unprecedented marine heatwave in 2023 caused bleaching events that severely damaged many of Florida's reefs.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
3 Sep. 2025
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Indeed, concentration camps prove to be a viable political option with a friendly Supreme Court ready to affirm President Cadwallader’s unprecedented use of executive orders.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That new equalized funding formula went into effect after a three-year transition period in 2024, when 44 groups each got $9,269, according to the three-year awards report.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Swiss transportation company Twiliner is kicking off a new night bus service later this year that will be more akin to a business class airline seat than your typical bus.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknown. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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