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 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 But unlike diamonds, where the molecular structure is extremely compact, Robson’s material contained a huge number of large cavities, suggesting this could lead to the creation of new materials. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unlike

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlike

Adjective

All onshore experiences are locally guided, offered in small groups, and scaled to different activity levels.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
The correspondence helped convince Anders, who fled the Nazis for American exile in 1936, that different kinds of evil cause different kinds of harm.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of different

Adjective

All who died, including my sister, Patricia Fagan, were a diverse cross-section of New Yorkers, and their memory can’t be erased.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights is increasingly featuring horror from diverse cultures.

— Eve Chen, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of diverse

Adjective

Fossum notes that veterinarians sometimes use odor as a diagnostic clue because certain skin conditions produce distinctive smells.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
The cult fashion house has a devoted following among Gen Z and fans of alternative fashion and pop culture, including anime enthusiasts familiar with Westwood’s distinctive Orb logo.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of distinctive

Adjective

The Pigeon Sisters — Desi Amato as Gwendolyn and Penny Amara as Cecily — are played as distinct individuals rather than as near-twins as often happens.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Sometimes those differences, while distinct, still touch the same product in some way.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of distinct

Adjective

Blue laws in Arkansas included bans on card games, hunting, horse racing and other activities on Sundays.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
The back end should be able to move the puck better and avoid long stretches in their own end, and assuming relative health, other players like Braden Schneider will no longer have to play too high in the lineup.

— Peter Baugh, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026