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
His unusual rise to fame started in the mid-2010s.
—
Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Surrounding the morganites with neutral and unusual tones lets their color shine even brighter.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 June 2026
Earlier this year, Moderna’s data was at the center of a highly unusual public dispute as a then-top FDA official blocked the company’s application for its first-of-its-kind shot.
—ABC News, 18 June 2026
Reading reviews, questioning unusual details and taking your time choosing a booking is also recommended for travelers.
—Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Surrounding the morganites with neutral and unusual tones lets their color shine even brighter.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 June 2026
Earlier this year, Moderna’s data was at the center of a highly unusual public dispute as a then-top FDA official blocked the company’s application for its first-of-its-kind shot.
—ABC News, 18 June 2026
Reading reviews, questioning unusual details and taking your time choosing a booking is also recommended for travelers.
—Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusual
Adjective
-
According to the National Cancer Institute, SEF is so uncommon that there is limited data available about treatment for the disease as well as how many people have it.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
-
Turns out, being conflated with the characters one plays is not uncommon, at least for the TV stars gathered at THR‘s Drama Actors Emmy Roundtable.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Rice and Elliot Anderson have impressive engines but will carry an extraordinary burden throughout the tournament and need to stay on top of their game and at full intensity throughout.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Artificial intelligence has changed a whole lot in the past few years because people have started really becoming aware of the extraordinary progress and the extraordinary risks that go with it.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Truth is stranger than fiction.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
As Photay, Shornstein—a master synthesist and producer—flits between atmospheric house, dubby breakbeat workouts, and chirping electro funk, building his songs’ arrangements into strange, angular shapes.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
His quick wit, punchy puns and unique voice came through even on the page, and NBC took notice.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
Through advanced genetic sequencing, chemotherapy and the expertise of a large medical team, doctors were able to identify a treatment approach tailored to Hadley's unique tumor.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Other members of the cast contribute some sharp edges and moments that are legitimately funny.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
-
Someone’s losing their dignity, and that’s funny.—
Jesse David Fox,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Each is 72+ pages long and features an exceptional design printed on premium paper.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 June 2026
-
So to commemorate the occasion, the distillery team decided to release a pair of truly rare and exceptional age statement expressions.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
There’s been a weird weather quirk surrounding the national soccer teams that have made base camps in the Kansas City area.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
When the series went back to New York, things got weird.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
These Knicks will be remembered as champions and as the rare big-market team that became easy to root for.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Even better, almost all have balconies, which is rare in town.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unusual. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
