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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unusual
Listen to this article The Rent Guidelines Board lowered the range of potential rent increases for some 2 million New Yorkers in an unusual redo vote Tuesday — a move that comes as the issue of freezing rents has taken center stage in the contentious mayoral race.
—
Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
For a taste of the unusual, check out the Burger King in Kayenta, Arizona, which is home to a mini museum honoring the Navajo Code Talkers, who helped transmit secret messages to Allied forces during World War II.
—Matt Alderton, USA Today, 24 May 2025
With 700 acres that are home to 50 waterfalls, the elevation change on some of its trails is unusual for south Louisiana, but the extra effort begets rewarding views of cascading falls in return.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
His last four full-lengths to reach the list — Certified Lover Boy, Her Loss with 21 Savage, and For All the Dogs — have all cracked the top five, but failed to rule, which is unusual for the Grammy winner.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
For a taste of the unusual, check out the Burger King in Kayenta, Arizona, which is home to a mini museum honoring the Navajo Code Talkers, who helped transmit secret messages to Allied forces during World War II.
—Matt Alderton, USA Today, 24 May 2025
With 700 acres that are home to 50 waterfalls, the elevation change on some of its trails is unusual for south Louisiana, but the extra effort begets rewarding views of cascading falls in return.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
His last four full-lengths to reach the list — Certified Lover Boy, Her Loss with 21 Savage, and For All the Dogs — have all cracked the top five, but failed to rule, which is unusual for the Grammy winner.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusual
Adjective
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Acqui-hires are not uncommon in a competitive tech hiring environment.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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SNRs aren't uncommon, but this particular example showcases numerous anomalies, including its astonishingly round shape.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Despite these challenges, U.S. nonprofits do extraordinary things.—
Kendra Davenport,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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But what goes unmentioned—what stands in opposition to the siblings’ code of self-optimization and principled bodysurfing—is that their father’s success grew from the soil of an extraordinary season of public investment.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The long strange trip is proving to be even longer than anyone thought.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Because of this strange clustering, the Atlantic Shark Institute has posted signs around Narragansett alerting beachgoers to be on the lookout.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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But that physical training couldn’t prepare him for the unique psychological experience of reaching the top of the world--and then returning safely.—
Mark Joyella,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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This is not unique to Arizona, Famiglietti said, with similar signs of disappearing groundwater happening in the agriculture-heavy Central Valley in California.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Because to us, the most funny things are right next to the most tragic things.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
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There are enough quotable lines of dialogue in the movie’s first half to remind you why Succession was, pound for pound, one of the most profanely funny shows on TV during its run.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The site is exceptional: The North Branch of the Chicago River winds through its full length, offering an opportunity to weave parkland through the development.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
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All of our leathers are carefully selected from the finest tanneries in the world for their exceptional quality and functional capability.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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His monsters are inventive and weird — and almost endlessly memeable.—
Sam Thielman,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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Just a weird observation about the oscillator that is worth pointing out.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Osprey is offering a rare deal on a travel backpack that’ll hold all of your in-flight essentials.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
21 May 2025
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Trade shows, in particular, are one of the rare arenas where the playing field is level.—
Sanjay Ghare,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unusual. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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