unprecedented

adjective

ˌən-ˈpre-sə-ˌden-təd How to pronounce unprecedented (audio)
Definition of unprecedentednext
as in novel
not known or experienced before this is an unprecedented request for the reference desk

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 unprecedented Among other things, a Democratic victory would enable Congress to investigate this administration’s unprecedented carnival of corruption and self-enrichment. — James Speyer, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026 Yormark’s hiring at the Big 12 marked a broader shift in how college conferences have approached leadership amid unprecedented financial and structural upheaval. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026 That turnout gives Israel’s Arab parties unprecedented political sway with 19 seats in the 120-seat parliament. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026 The rules would have put the Postal Service in the unprecedented role of deciding whether to send or deny the delivery of voters’ mail-in ballots. — ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unprecedented
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unprecedented
  1. novel
  2. new
  3. strange
  4. unfamiliar
  5. fresh
  6. unheard-of
  7. original
Adjective
  • As a result, Tirana’s compact city center is filled with buildings in bright colors and novel shapes.
    — Fred A. Bernstein, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The hackers who stole billions of dollars in cryptocurrency from the Binance exchange spent months working on the theft and used both social engineering and novel malware in the process, the company said Tuesday.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of novel
Adjective
  • Nichols ran tests comparing sounds laid down on 24-track analog tape with those captured by a new 32-track digital unit manufactured by 3M, and found the latter superior.
    — Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The Russian missiles that hit overnight across the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, damaged homes and commercial properties, triggering new power and water outages, national and city authorities said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of new
Adjective
  • Talk about strange beginnings at Friday’s City Section Division I football playoff opener between Sun Valley Poly and host Marshall.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • And having one of those is as strange and terrifying as anything else in the universe.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • The ornate Spanish Colonial edifice has elicited curiosity from those unfamiliar with its significance.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026
  • By evening, an unfamiliar situation may start to feel more welcoming.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of unfamiliar
Adjective
  • Another good bet for fresh turkey is Mary’s Land Farm, at 4797 Sheppard Lane.
    — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Slate and Ford both believe the time is right for a no-frills compact electric pickup, but even these trucks rely on fresh engineering and are aimed at retail as well as fleet buyers.
    — Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of fresh
Adjective
  • All that is contributing to unheard-of increases in sea levels.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The Financial Times reported last month that Anthropic’s and OpenAI’s IPO advisers were lobbying credit-rating agencies for blue-chip status, which would be almost unheard-of for companies as unprofitable as both AI labs are.
    — Ellen DiMauro, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of unheard-of
Adjective
  • The backstory The original Okura, opened in 1962, was a modernist icon beloved for its distinctive lobby and mid-century design.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • O'Brien and Bashir were digitally pasted over the original actors in the former, while the latter was explained away by Sisko and Dax's madcap dash to find the elusive explosive tribble.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of original

Browse Nearby Words

unpopularity
unprecedented
unpredictability
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Cite this Entry

“Unprecedented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unprecedented. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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