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
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
Though details of the call are unknown, China’s strong hold on rare earth materials is now a hot topic.
—
Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 5 June 2025
The precise number of German casualties on the day is unknown, but they are estimated to be between 4,000 and 9,000.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
The exact number of surviving D-Day veterans is unknown, but the U.S. Veterans Administration says about 66,000 veterans, fewer than 0.5% of the 16.4 million Americans who served in the war, were still living at the end of 2024.
—Medianews Group, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
Nearly five months later and with the fire’s cause still unknown, Pacific Gas & Electric began reopening an adjacent battery site on Sunday, despite objections from local officials.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknown
Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 5 June 2025
The precise number of German casualties on the day is unknown, but they are estimated to be between 4,000 and 9,000.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
The exact number of surviving D-Day veterans is unknown, but the U.S. Veterans Administration says about 66,000 veterans, fewer than 0.5% of the 16.4 million Americans who served in the war, were still living at the end of 2024.
—Medianews Group, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
Nearly five months later and with the fire’s cause still unknown, Pacific Gas & Electric began reopening an adjacent battery site on Sunday, despite objections from local officials.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknown
Adjective
-
Action step: Volunteer for projects outside your usual scope to expand your skills and demonstrate your ability to thrive in unfamiliar territory.—
Kent Ingle,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
One possibility is that the chimps simply chose to imitate the android—much like people and animals often mimic others in unfamiliar social situations.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Crucially, what matters—the criteria for selection, on which continued evolution depends—also changes, plotting a wholly novel course.—
Philip Ball,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
-
Finally, with homicides soaring to record levels, exasperated authorities pivoted to a novel strategy: Mexico filed a $10-billion suit in U.S. federal court seeking to have Smith & Wesson and other signature manufacturers held accountable for the country’s epidemic of shooting deaths.—
Patrick J. McDonnell,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
The banner offers a peek into a relatively obscure group during a critical moment in American history.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
-
The other is a bit more obscure: Juan Samuel, with 70 extra-base hits and 72 steals as a Phillies rookie in 1984.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
After coming to the Mets at the trade deadline, Blackburn had a serious of strange injuries, getting hit by a line drive on his hand, and then suffering from a spinal fluid leak that required surgery.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
3 June 2025
-
The strange turn of events surrounding Barrett’s disqualification marred what had been a feel-good story.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
However, their own experiences and labor have largely been unrecognized in serious discussions of how the college football system functions.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 May 2025
-
While unrecognized in their time, the group is now regarded as one of the most important artistic movements of the 20th century.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
In May 2025, Global Rights Compliance and The Reckoning Project, both non-governmental organizations, published a new report revealing unprecedented evidence exposing Russia’s systematic weaponization of information during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
-
Quickly backed up by local and regional California politicians amid the situation in LA, Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed and condemned Trump’s near unprecedented troop action.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
First discovered: 4 p.m. June 5 Initial location: Nevada County, Calif. Fire type: Wildfire Fire name: Brockway A new wildfire was reported today at 4 p.m. in Nevada County.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
Experts say the easiest way to become more open is to try something new.—
Elizabeth Passarella,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknown. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share