unusual

adjective

ˌən-ˈyü-zhə-wəl How to pronounce unusual (audio)
Definition of unusualnext
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 That caused unusual national uptick DeSantis has indicated the death penalty is not outside the realm of possibility for Caruso, if he’s charged and convicted under the new law. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026 Travelers should remain calm, follow official instructions, keep walkways clear, and report unusual activity to airport security. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2026 This trifecta makes the dwelf quite possibly the most visually unusual cats on our list. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 Bennett Weiner, president and CEO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, said a late registration isn't that unusual, especially for small charities, but the hostile takeover by a former member is. — Megan De Mar, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unusual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusual
  1. uncommon
  2. extraordinary
  3. strange
  4. unique
  5. funny
  6. exceptional
  7. weird
  8. rare
Adjective
  • Standing ovations are not uncommon in the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, the $82 million home of La Jolla Music Society.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Striking up chats with strangers used to be uncommon for Hoadley.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • Building new housing on two islands in San Francisco, one of the hottest housing markets, involved an extraordinary saga.
    — Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As his abilities give him access to increasingly sophisticated criminal schemes and extraordinary wealth, he is drawn into a world of luxury, excess and organized cybercrime.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • Twenty-four hours after moving to London from New Zealand, Lavanda wanted to go out for a cocktail but felt strange going alone.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • There are a lot of on-the-road songs about travels through this strange, heartbreaking, and beautiful planet.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • The exterior features unique blue accents and matching blue high-performance brake calipers.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Known for unique design flair, such as the Stellar TV's concrete back mounts, Loewe seeks to establish itself in top luxury destinations, building a global lifestyle ecosystem focused on craftsmanship and innovation.
    — John Archer, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • No, what’s so funny is that this is the first time that’s ever come up.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The jokers Toth and Jackson, bless them, keep things endearing and funny.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • This commitment to investing in people, listening intently, and acting on feedback drives continuous improvement, proving that exceptional service is a deliberate outcome of strong leadership and a responsive culture.
    — Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Food and drink Zori’s 32-year-old chef, Siniša Jevrosimov, is an exceptional talent.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • The animation is truly ugly, the characters moving at the framerate of a PowerPoint and looking less like the animals they’re supposed to be than weird hybrid troll creatures.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
  • And when the Stray Cats and the Blasters brought their rockabilly revivals to the mainstream in the Eighties, the Cramps were just too weird and nasty for primetime.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • The rare albino peacock that was injured during the incident in Pasadena.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In a Texas hospital this week, doctors performed a complex, high-risk, open-heart surgery on a 6-day-old boy born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital condition that rendered part of his heart underdeveloped.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of rare

Browse Nearby Words

unused
unusual
unusually
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unusual. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on unusual

Nglish: Translation of unusual for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All