UNLIKE Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

unlike

adjective

ˌən-ˈlīk

Definition of unlike

as in different

being not of the same kind you're trying to compare very unlike things—like those proverbial apples and oranges

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 unlike The plan is unlike to pass in its current form, and some environmental groups and Democrats already vow to oppose it. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026 Or the move could have been to help the calf stay afloat—unlike adults, young sperm whales tend to sink and need to swim harder to reach the surface to breathe. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026 Extreme cold is especially dangerous for donkeys because unlike horses, donkeys don’t have the natural oils in their coats that repel moisture, Vargas said. — Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026 What’s more, plastic—unlike glass and aluminum—loses its functionality when it’s recycled. — Judith Enck, Time, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unlike

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlike

Adjective

Disney — also profitable — has made three rounds of layoffs in 2026 across different parts of the business.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
In reality, both objects orbit the star in the same direction, just at different, changing speeds.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of different

Adjective

Conceivably, there is Naftali Bennett, who served as PM in 2021-22 but could not keep his diverse coalition together.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
His great-grandson is focused on how to build a corporate culture that suits both Japan, â€œour mother countryâ€� and the source of more than half of the groupâ€™s sales, and the diverse expectations of 40,000 employees around the world.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of diverse

Adjective

That includes colorblock styling, chunky knobs and physical controls, and simple shapes that make each device memorable and distinctive.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
The person buried there is believed to have belonged to the Linear Pottery culture — named for the distinctive spiral and wavy patterns decorating its pottery.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinctive

Adjective

Coleman said each design has its own distinct character and can be styled individually, either as a subtle everyday detail or a sculptural statement.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Scientists have performed cosmic genealogy on planetary systems in the Milky Way, finding two distinct families that influence the evolution and fate of these systems.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinct

Adjective

Levine did, however, receive a letter signed by over a dozen former Israeli security, intelligence and other officials, including former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, former Mossad director Tamir Pardo and former Shin Bet director Ami Ayalon.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Ten other people, ages 5 to 68, were also hit and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, Police Capt.

— Maggie Vespa, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026