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
Relevance
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
But beets could have an unusual ability to strengthen cardiovascular health.
—
Anahad O’Connor, Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Delaying an election is unusual but not unprecedented.
—Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
His smiling eyes beneath dark winged eyebrows were an unusual sapphire blue.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
When using flower stems in simple bud vases, look for unique varieties with interesting petal shapes or unusual color variations—your local farmers market can be a great source for this.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Anahad O’Connor, Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Delaying an election is unusual but not unprecedented.
—Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
His smiling eyes beneath dark winged eyebrows were an unusual sapphire blue.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
When using flower stems in simple bud vases, look for unique varieties with interesting petal shapes or unusual color variations—your local farmers market can be a great source for this.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusual
Adjective
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Now, those stories are far more uncommon.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Power surges are not uncommon; that's why many homes and devices come equipped with surge protection to help protect your appliances and electronics.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Her appointment was agreed at an extraordinary meeting Monday of the festival’s executive board, made up of San Sebastián City Council, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, the Basque Government and the Spanish Ministry of Culture.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
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And yet many were created with extraordinary artistic ambition.—
Sudhir Gupta,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The truck had been at the head of a column of seven rescue vehicles, all of which had received clearance from the tower to cross Runway 4 at Taxiway D and head toward a United Airlines flight that was evacuating due to a strange odor onboard.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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On World Rhythms, Lockwood trusts the listener to hear the arc of its noises, to trace their emergence and disappearance, their strange, seductive confluence.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Snitker’s story is unique even in a sport that invites unprecedented journeys.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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Many of those values are grounded in the idea—axiomatic for Christians—that human beings have a unique dignity and worth.—
Elias Wachtel,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This would be much funnier if Rimura were, indeed, simply a slime.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
1 May 2026
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Just being more confident in my choice of what is funny and what’s not.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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About one-fifth of the state is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought designation.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Set in the late 1980s, the film follows 13-year-old Felice (an exceptional Tiziano Menichelli), a budding tennis star whose overbearing father hooks him up with Raul Getti (Favino), a flameout former pro with a new lithium prescription and a serious ladies-man streak.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some weird ground balls, a bounce over (first baseman Gavin) Sheets’ head.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Cabdrivers sometimes call it the Hinckley Hilton—a weird local homage to the shooter, John Hinckley, Jr.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Earlier in the day, Charles delivered a rare address to a joint session of Congress, highlighting the second day of his four-day state visit and placing the spotlight on the strained but enduring relationship between his country and the United States.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Given the popularity of the show, particularly the fashion, style expert George Kotsiopoulos says being able to own an item that your favorite character wore or had in their home is a rare opportunity.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unusual. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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