unknown

adjective

ˌən-ˈnōn How to pronounce unknown (audio)
Definition of unknownnext
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

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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 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 unknown Police say that the motive for the shooting is unknown and there are no suspects as of Friday morning. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 About 95% of cases are among people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, according to agency data. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 According to Chicago police, the victim, whose age was not released, was involved in an argument and fight with an unknown suspect, who then pulled out a sharp object and attacked him. — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Following the song’s global takeover, has Raye made headway in finding her unknown spouse? — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unknown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknown
  1. unfamiliar
  2. novel
  3. obscure
  4. unbeknownst
  5. strange
  6. unrecognized
  7. unprecedented
  8. new
Adjective
  • Korean writer-director Han Jun-hee talked strategies for getting audiences to respond to risky or unfamiliar material in a masterclass at Netflix’s Creative Asia day at Busan International Film Festival.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Feeling her way through unfamiliar worlds has been something of a lifelong predicament and opportunity for Choi.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfamiliar
Adjective
  • Massive novel diversity Resting up to 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) deep in the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is strewn with millions of potato-sized metallic rocks.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The critics already called the novel postcolonial and feminist.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of novel
Adjective
  • But there isn’t even a word for what happened Friday when a once-obscure board canceled a meeting to decide the future of homeless services in Los Angeles because too many people came to vote.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Ivey and his partner persuaded the Crockfords dealer to rotate the high-value cards 180 degrees before shuffling them back into the pack, citing some obscure superstition as justification.
    — Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • However, unbeknownst to the girls, the men left the original villa setting and snuck away to Casa Amor, a second filming location where six bombshells in sexy costumes were waiting to steal guys' hearts.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • That same night, unbeknownst to friends and family, the couple spontaneously wed in a courthouse wedding.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Definition of unbeknownst
Adjective
  • The small army at Kostabi World turned out images of featureless characters moving through strange, otherworldly scenes, caught between intimacy, alienation, and the discomfort of contemporary life.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The first bit of growth might be especially strange-looking, says Sutcliffe.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Among them, Mimi Sheraton, who donned wigs and other disguises to go unrecognized when reviewing.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The rest likely reflect a mix of unrecognized Covid deaths and indirect effects of the pandemic.
    — Jess Steier, STAT, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of unrecognized
Adjective
  • What’s going to move the shopping needle for accessories for spring 2027 will most likely be driven by unprecedented colors.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The base level of availability expected of people who work is unprecedented.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of unprecedented
Adjective
  • Therefore, additional heavy rain may quickly create new areas of flooding and cause previous areas of flooding to redevelop.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Ukrainian defense tech Buntar Aerospace has raised $16 million in a new financing round to expand production, develop its autonomous systems and enter new markets.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of new

Browse Nearby Words

unknowledgeable
unknown
unlace
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknown. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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