UNUSUAL Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

unusual

adjective

ˌən-ˈyü-zhə-wəl

Definition of unusual

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Everyone stared at me, wondering which neighbor had shown up in such an unusual costume. — Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026 Since he couldn’t be removed, the state Division of Elections took unusual steps on their ballot design to help distinguish the two candidates. — Drew Kurlowski, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026 The Chiefs had just finished a dominating win over the Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on Halloween in 1999 when several Kansas City players entered the locker room shouting something unusual. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026 If every unusual situation depends on the founder finding a solution, scaling becomes difficult. — Anoush Shamaei, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unusual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusual

Adjective

Prescription treatments are also uncommon, given to fewer than 1 in 1,000 adolescents who have commercial insurance, according to another study.

— Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
To be clear, praying for political leaders is hardly novel or uncommon, and the bishops who prayed for blessings could just as easily have been doing so for any supplicant.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

Alexi’s script gets to the heart of the strange, necessary bonds between humans and animals.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
Something in the movement of his hands, too fast, too smooth, too precise, and something in the play of the light and shadow across his knuckles, reveals that something strange is at work.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

This mix between college town, nature oasis and state capital gives Madison a unique flare, pairing beloved nightlife spaces with a growing trail network.

— Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
The state must show compassion for the unique geography of our neighborhood.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Divorced from the context of a map, Texas' congressional districts might just look like a collection of funny shapes.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
China did not find anything funny about the French star laughing at a meme of Mao, the communist dictator whose regime resulted in tens of millions of deaths.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

Preservation had traditionally focused only on exceptional buildings, and protected them by more or less freezing them in place.

— Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Proton offers exceptional cybersecurity (partially because it’s based in Switzerland, which has very strict data-protection laws).

— Oscar Hartzog, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Adjective

Voting by noncitizens and fraud involving mail ballots are both rare.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Back in 2023, Stevens revealed he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome—a rare auto-immune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves—and was working to relearn how to walk and use his hands.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of rare

Browse Nearby Words

unused

unusual

unusually

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“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unusual. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of unusual

adjective

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