as in unusual
being out of the ordinary
honored for the unwonted courage he showed in battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 unwonted
Batson posed a follow-up question about the uncertainty principle, politely requesting a reply without unwonted nonsense about bananas.
—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
As in most wars, the most onerous burden falls on those who did not sign up for their unwonted parts in this great 21st century drama.
—New York Times, 1 Mar. 2021
But Mr Tucker has brought an unwonted impatience to HSBC.
—The Economist, 8 Aug. 2019
The unwonted activism of the Christian Democratic chancellor met with skepticism in the United States, in Europe, and certainly in Russia.
—Elizabeth Pond, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2015
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
As in most wars, the most onerous burden falls on those who did not sign up for their unwonted parts in this great 21st century drama.
—New York Times, 1 Mar. 2021
But Mr Tucker has brought an unwonted impatience to HSBC.
—The Economist, 8 Aug. 2019
The unwonted activism of the Christian Democratic chancellor met with skepticism in the United States, in Europe, and certainly in Russia.
—Elizabeth Pond, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwonted
Adjective
-
The lobby is filled with well-to-do patrons, and seeing children in tow is not unusual.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
-
In the case of the female individual, the authors noted an unusual break at the base of the cranium that likely occurred near the time of death.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Heat radiates from the pages of this extraordinary novel about a poor family in rural Mississippi in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Today’s presidential centers require extraordinary amounts of private capital to support broader ambitions.—
Andre Dowell,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
At scholarship level especially, his record was exceptional — in the 2023-24 campaign, Wilson averaged a goal every 64 minutes, netting 16 in 13 games.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Passages like these have the curious effect of retrofitting Sinking’s less exceptional moments with their elegant modernity.—
Ben Cardew,
Pitchfork,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Due to difficulties finding a suitable donor [for the transplant], Caitlin suffered an abnormal relapse and the cancer returned to her skin.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
-
Sybil, who spent her younger years beleaguered by the presence of her double, that emblem of feminine conformity named Désirée, never manages to perceive herself as anything but abnormal by comparison.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
While every ceremonial facilitator has their own unique way of preparing ayahuasca, most often two plants are brewed together (caapi vine and chacruna leaves) to create the highly powerful, transportive substance that can be used to treat physical and mental ailments.—
Michaela Trimble,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Like, what a unique experience.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Inspector Thomas Lynley, eighth earl of Asherton and generally natty guy played by Nathaniel Parker, and his distinctly working-class and perpetually disheveled sergeant, Barbara Havers (Sharon Small), creates a classic odd-couple mix that allows some actual insight into issues of class and gender.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Richmond’s last years were odd.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
That real trust can be rare, from knowing other young lads (at Liverpool) and their experiences on loan.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Exhibits in the visitor center include a $1 million display, rare coins and historic bills.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
What customers increasingly dislike, Parmelee said, are screens that put pressure on customers to tip in situations in which gratuities were once optional or uncommon.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
When questioning is uncommon, early warnings are easy to overlook.—
Nisha Narayanan,
STAT,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unwonted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwonted. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
