1
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced
we found some unusual shells by the high-tide mark while combing the beach
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
the famously arrogant actor accepted his award with unusual grace and humility
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 unusual
On March 23, 2023, sportsbooks in multiple states flagged unusual betting activity involving how Rozier would perform in that night’s Hornets-Pelicans game.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
The Yarra Junction boomerang, unusual in its size and shape, was deeply integrated into the original societies of Australia, but this one, specifically, came after colonization, thereby bringing up another formative chapter in the country’s history.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
The investigation started after unusual gambling patterns about Porter’s performance on March 20, 2024, against the Sacramento Kings.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Compared with other conflicts, the death toll — both direct and indirect — can be determined with unusual precision.
—Lydia Polgreen, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
The Yarra Junction boomerang, unusual in its size and shape, was deeply integrated into the original societies of Australia, but this one, specifically, came after colonization, thereby bringing up another formative chapter in the country’s history.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
The investigation started after unusual gambling patterns about Porter’s performance on March 20, 2024, against the Sacramento Kings.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Compared with other conflicts, the death toll — both direct and indirect — can be determined with unusual precision.
—Lydia Polgreen, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusual
Adjective
-
While factory closures have not been uncommon over the past year, BGMEA officials say the industry is facing mounting pressures.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Unlike Major League Baseball, fire sales are highly uncommon in the NFL when teams fall out of playoff contention.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Friday's purge reduces to just four the number of men serving on the Central Military Commission (CMC), including Xi – an extraordinary concentration of power, according to analysts.—
Deirdre Kirsten Tatlow,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The Diet convened for an extraordinary session to elect Takaichi, who took over after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned with his cabinet earlier in the morning.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Silver Bullet The idea of league partners doing journalism is always a strange subject.—
Andrew Marchand,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Years later, now a lawyer, Andi wins a radio contest where the host, Jake (Romaine Waite), turns the story of the sleigh bell and stranger into a segment, as listeners help track down her mystery man before Christmas.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Participants will learn the differences between dabbling and diving ducks, their unique characteristics and how to use eBird to find local waterfowl viewing hot spots.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Its unique geography, between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, along with its mountain surroundings, offers an enviable climate with hot summers and mild winters.—
Kimberly Lyn,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Kristen Bell and her husband Dax Shepard are known to be funny, but one joke has kept them in the public eye all week.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The film is also possibly Reichardt’s funniest thus far.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The lounge feels like a five-star hotel with fine dining (don’t miss the schnitzel), an exceptional whiskey bar, and plush daybeds and showers.—
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Native throughout eastern North America, arrowwood viburnum provides exceptional wildlife value through nectar-rich spring blooms and late season blue-black fruits.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Constraints give creative energy a direction to travel, shaping the search space while also confining it — just enough that exploration becomes deeper, weirder, and more productive.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Until then, things will get very weird, very fast.—
Victor Riparbelli,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Most sharks, of course, slice and dice tuna and other fishes, and occasionally the rare human.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Tate had a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a genetic neurological disorder that affects the nerves that control the muscles.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unusual. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share