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 Images of the sun’s surface that were published in a new study show turbulent, vortex-like structures in unprecedented detail. — Miriam Waldvogel, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026 Two weeks ago, OpenAI disclosed that its models were behind an unprecedented hack against the startup Hugging Face. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 This year, Europe has been sweltering under an exceptionally hot and arid summer, with tinderbox conditions setting off unprecedented fires that have forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate homes and vacation spots. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 After years of development, thousands of test hours, and unprecedented regulatory scrutiny, Boeing’s smallest 737 MAX variant has finally crossed the finish line. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 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
  • Making novel genes is not new, but creating an entire functional genome is much trickier—genes have complex patterns of interaction, and all their cascading effects need to be taken into account for the result to function as a comprehensive body.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
  • So Pederson entered his son into a clinical trial for a novel treatment.
    — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of novel
Adjective
  • That same year, Wolfram set out on an ambitious new direction in science aimed at understanding the origins of complexity in nature.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 4 Aug. 2026
  • If your crepe myrtles aren’t receiving enough light, transplant them to a new growing location when the plants are dormant in winter.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of new
Adjective
  • That strange sense of incompletion hung over the Detroit Tigers’ clubhouse Saturday night.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Having collaborated with his parents since the late 1980s, Berenstain was no stranger to furthering the family legacy.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • How will my child handle new routines, unfamiliar classmates or unexpected changes?
    — Jennifer Durocher, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Packed prematch marches stunned organizers who were unfamiliar with the tradition.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfamiliar
Adjective
  • The reversal came a day after the Wall Street Journal reported Trump had ordered the military to prepare a fresh attack that could begin as soon as the weekend.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
  • There’s always something new to see and fresh businesses to support.
    — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of fresh
Adjective
  • The damage forced an almost unheard-of response from the grain trade itself.
    — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Fetterman and McCormick even launched a joint fundraising committee, practically unheard-of for senators from different parties.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of unheard-of
Adjective
  • One stores and processes incoming charge, while another traps electrons to control how quickly the device returns to its original state.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Many of the original features have been preserved, including two magnificent fireplaces with bread ovens.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 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 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unprecedented for Spanish Speakers

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