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 An unusual shape, a handmade glaze or a slightly odd subject can make thrift store home decor feel far more meaningful than anything picked off a shelf. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 Because of the nature of unique formation and structure of burls, grain formation is unusual, creating swirling patterns that can be very beautiful. — Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026 Direct transmission of cancer cells between humans is extremely rare and usually involves unusual medical circumstances. — Dr. Yonathan Daniel, ABC News, 25 July 2026 No players were made available, which is unusual on training camp’s reporting day. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unusual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusual

Adjective

For women like Toyama, growing up in the 1960s and ‘70s, divorce was uncommon – and often met with judgment and shame.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Fares, 68, has a rags-to-riches story not uncommon in Lebanon.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 26 July 2026

Definition of uncommon

Adjective

The wider festival celebrated speed, engineering and extraordinary cars, while Future Lab looked at what might be waiting around the next bend.

— Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Paying a toll can void a vessel’s entire insurance policy, creating an extraordinary risk for shipping companies.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

The catfish in that Vermont lake has joined a very strange club.

— John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Of all the peculiar assignments a newspaper reporter can undertake, writing advance obituaries for local notables who are still very much alive is one of the strangest.

— Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

Many of them feature amenities like a basketball court, weight rooms and a pool, while others may have unique features like boxing gyms or an ice rink.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
Because there’s a certain level of difficulty involved in taking a song fans know well, and expect to hear a particular way, and successfully putting a unique spin upon it.

— Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Gu-cheon is arrogant, conspicuously misplaced in the palace hierarchy, and in some sneaky ways, dryly funny, in stark contrast to co-star Roh Yoon Seo’s more determined, earnest portrayal of court lady Saeng Gang.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
That ethos bled into the script read, which saw the crew assembled take swings with the material and inject a bit more comedy into the already funny original film.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 July 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

Tracking the sky to such depths, such resolution and for such a long time practically guarantees that a bevy of weird and baffling phenomena will emerge from the LSST data.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
Some of it was weird, some of it was creepy and some was awe-inspiring.

— Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 24 July 2026

Definition of weird

Adjective

The Kansas City Royals began Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins with a pair of rare occurrences.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Trinitite contains a novel, cagelike clathrate crystal and quasicrystals, rare materials, once thought impossible, that contain nonrepeating atomic structures.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 July 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 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unusual

adjective

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