unlikeness
noun
: not like: such as
a
: different from
a landscape unlike any other
b
: not characteristic of
it was unlike him to be late
c
: in a different manner from
spoke clearly, unlike the others
: in a manner that is different than : not as
Can unlike be used as a conjunction?: Usage Guide
The use of unlike as a conjunction is less common than conjunctive use of like and, while criticized, is not as frequently cited as an error. The conjunctive unlike almost always introduces a prepositional phrase.
unlike in other areas, the judiciary cannot justify its attempt … as a necessary evil
—
Alexandra M. Walsh, Stanford Law Rev.
Alexandra M. Walsh, Stanford Law Rev.
In spite of criticism, this conjunctive use of unlike is well established in both American and British English.
Examples of unlike in a Sentence
Adjective
a comparison of unlike things
you're trying to compare very unlike things—like those proverbial apples and oranges
Preposition
The plants that grow here are unlike the plants that grow where I live.
She's unlike anyone I've ever met.
Recent Examples on the Web
Celia Ford, Vox, 19 Feb. 2025
Thats’ unlike, say, distributors of Killers Of The Flower Moon that cracked down as some theaters spontaneously added intermissions given the length of the film (similar to The Brutalist).
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025
Paul Iddon, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Fresh, delicate, and feminine, this blends patchouli, vetiver, orange, jasmine, and rose into an aroma unlike any other.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlike
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Adjective
The cool thing is that unlike fMRI, MEG can record the brain in near-real time.
—Celia Ford, Vox, 19 Feb. 2025
Thats’ unlike, say, distributors of Killers Of The Flower Moon that cracked down as some theaters spontaneously added intermissions given the length of the film (similar to The Brutalist).
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025
Preposition
Riyadh is generally discreet and secretive about its missiles, unlike Iran.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Fresh, delicate, and feminine, this blends patchouli, vetiver, orange, jasmine, and rose into an aroma unlike any other.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlike
Cite this Entry
“Unlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlike. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlike
1 of 2 adjective
un·like
ˌən-ˈlīk 
ˈən-
1
: marked by differences
people are all unlike
2
: unequal sense 1a
contributed unlike amounts
unlikeness
noun
unlike
2 of 2 preposition1
: different from
feeling completely unlike a hero
2
: not typical of
it was unlike her to be late
3
: in a different manner from
behaving unlike all the other children
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