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

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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

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 In an unusual move, The Guardian plans to stream the doc internationally for free starting in six to eight weeks to make it as widely available as possible. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 Naomi’s work clashes with both men’s professional aims, of course, but the real power of the story lies in its last third, which is set two and a half decades into the future and provides an unusual vision of climate change. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 An influx of writers Two years into his job, something unusual happened. — HubSpot, 1 Oct. 2026 This weekend’s Formula 1 Grand Prix comes with an unusual backstory. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 1 Oct. 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
  • This way of thinking is not uncommon, and it’s not limited to film criticism.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Police noted that mountain lions are not uncommon near the Stanislaus River and other rural pockets around Oakdale but urged residents to stay alert – especially overnight and around dawn and dusk.
    — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • This keeps the performance informal and keeps the narrative — a staggering odyssey of injustices, abuses, travel adventures, extraordinary coincidences, losses, reunions, reflections and self-analysis — from becoming sensationalized.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Guadagnino speaks in calligraphy; adjectives almost certainly accompany a proper name — the extraordinary, the wonderful, the genius.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • Serena tells him his former boss Elliott Wyatt recommended him highly, which is strange given his former reticence.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Neither does the strange quiet when the trip home begins with one fewer passenger.
    — Robert Duffer, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • This unique propagation gives rise to wave trajectories with directional rotation, or handedness, which dictates whether paths rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Season two goes a little differently than season one, because the music exec in charge of casting the show (Ashley Padilla) is being lightly blackmailed by two … unique candidates (Jane Wickline and new cast member Grace Reiter).
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • Peppino Mazzullo, the Italian actor who provided the voice for the mouse puppet Topo Gigio, best known for his frequent, funny appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, died Wednesday.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
  • While Eisenman’s works are funny at first glance, a nuanced narrative, interweaving the personal and political, can usually be teased out of them.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • The machines typically used to compress fuel must deliver enormous bursts of energy with exceptional precision.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The formula’s lead ingredient, soybean ferment extract, is an exceptional resurfacing agent—improving skin’s texture, tone, and radiance without any harsh side effects.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • Read Cep’s Profile of Kingsolver » Our editors and critics choose the most captivating, notable, brilliant, surprising, absorbing, weird, thought-provoking, and talked-about books.
    — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Why is this weird, scammy product now the biggest monster in the room?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • Sarah Patton, a Compass agent familiar with the buildings, says that a few years ago, when hundreds of units were being marketed downtown, some buildings were making deals, but that’s rare.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Since then researchers have discovered that the Epstein-Barr virus, which is known to cause cancers such as nasal pharyngeal cancers and some forms of lymphoma, is also linked to some stomach cancers and some rarer lymphomas, Clifford says.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of rare

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unused
unusual
unusually
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Cite this Entry

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

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