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 While individual kidnappings in Haiti are commonplace, mass abductions are more unusual. — Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 Rare for August Any measurable rain is unusual for the last week of August. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Earlier this month, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly won the Democratic nomination after one of the most chaotic and unusual primaries in the state’s history. — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026 Versant is an unusual hybrid company, spun off from Comcast with a large cable network portfolio and handful of digital businesses. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unusual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusual

Adjective

Following his diagnosis and death, Brody’s parents received messages from other families in Ladera Ranch whose children had suffered from the same uncommon disease.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The league could perhaps benefit from such messaging in its stadiums and on its helmets because DUI arrests or other traffic incidents involving NFL people are not uncommon.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

One of the most extraordinary musical experiences of my life was recording with her.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Harald’s death was officially announced at an extraordinary Council of State meeting at Norway’s Royal Palace on Friday, as the full title of the new King was formally presented.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

Some are quieter this year, some are almost ridiculous, but all of them share a strange sense of purpose.

— Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
His attempt to discover what he is supposed to be doing propels him through a succession of increasingly strange encounters, as his search for purpose becomes entangled with his desire for love, friendship and some kind of place in the world.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

The growing normalization and adoption of open-weight AI models, as enterprises and consumers alike seek to customize models to their unique use cases.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Nike’s athletes’ kits this season were inspired by basketball, presenting a unique sartorial challenge blending the two distinct on-court sports.

— Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Sharif said Noreen displayed exceptional courage and devotion to duty by risking her life to save the newborn moments before the nursery burned down.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Founders who recently had one exceptional year sometimes assume that year represents their new baseline, when a buyer will more likely average the last three years, or discount the outlier entirely.

— Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Adjective

This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
There’s a comically weird dinner with Kel’s ex, Sabrina (a scintillatingly eccentric Jasmin Savoy Brown).

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of weird

Adjective

On September 1, Claire Stoermer shared a rare childhood photo of her daughter to celebrate the milestone.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
If the event detected by this team was caused by the rare interaction between two WIMPs, this would tell scientists some things about these currently hypothetical particles.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of rare

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unused

unusual

unusually

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“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unusual. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unusual

adjective

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