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
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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
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Recent Examples of unusual
Despite the unusual grand opening hubbub around him, Klump stayed for more than an hour, enjoying the new vibe at the cozy Cicero Avenue Starbucks.
—
Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The unusual childbirth comes at a time of heated discussion about citizenship laws in the United States.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
And that's very unusual, your approach.
—Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
Although more than 83% of the items picked up in the cleanups were various pieces plastic, there were several other unusual items — including a pair of cross-country skis and a quart of milk.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The unusual childbirth comes at a time of heated discussion about citizenship laws in the United States.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
And that's very unusual, your approach.
—Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
Although more than 83% of the items picked up in the cleanups were various pieces plastic, there were several other unusual items — including a pair of cross-country skis and a quart of milk.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusual
Adjective
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These monikers range from classics like Robin and Lucy to more uncommon names like Oran and Valo.—
Erica Jackson Curran,
Parents,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The company added that reports of rashes with bleeding have been described anecdotally by clinical trial investigators and are considered uncommon.—
Angelica Peebles,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The extraordinary review of a media outlet’s coverage, revealed in emails obtained by The Star, is unheard of in Kansas City politics, according to one former mayor.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
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My father had lived an extraordinary life as a young Black man born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, during the 1940s.—
Shayla Martin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Stars wield power in professional sports, and that power can lead to some strange requests of their employers.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Pocahontas will arrive with her very own Yehakin and help unravel the mystery behind a strange phenomenon affecting the Moon and the tides around the Valley.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Rewind is completely different from the Rock Slide and Willys 392 -- each one of them has its own unique personality.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
This pattern isn’t unique to bats, the authors suggested, and likely applies to biodiversity loss and its impacts on agriculture broadly.—
Leah Campbell,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Levy arcs his character’s growing exasperation in a way that’s funny, if somewhat limited.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
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Deborah and Ava get to develop while their process, for the most part, remains the same — and remains funny.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Many say these chiefs were doing exceptional work in the community to improve public safety, and believe their firings are a result of speaking out against the city manager.—
Gabriela Vidal,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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While the stock trades at a modest premium to its industry, that premium reflects exceptional profitability, superior balance-sheet quality, and multiple avenues for long-term AI monetization.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But coming into print is a weird transformation.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Capri Pants Capri pants, which had a moment in the 1950s and ’60s, and then again in the late ’90s and early 2000s, are one of those weird garments that shouldn’t work but somehow just do–especially with a little low-rise heel and a spaghetti strap top.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ravensbergen is a rare southpaw as a right-catching goalie (coincidentally, as is Askarov).—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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On the rare occasions a teammate passed him the ball, Knueppel would duck and let the ball skitter out of bounds.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unusual. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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