unoriginal

adjective

un·​orig·​i·​nal ˌən-ə-ˈrj-jə-nᵊl How to pronounce unoriginal (audio)
-ˈrij-nəl
Synonyms of unoriginalnext
: lacking originality : not original
an unoriginal idea
a movie with a highly unoriginal plot
an unoriginal thinker

Synonyms of unoriginal

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Examples of unoriginal in a Sentence

critics faulted the novel for having a painfully unoriginal plot
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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.
Because that was the trend this week, and next week the same unoriginal dopes will be onto something else. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026 This situation fuels a broader discussion about whether generative AI could produce unoriginal adaptations more cost-effectively, challenging studios to either innovate or embrace AI for these types of remakes. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 The first stage began in July 2025, when Meta announced comprehensive measures targeting accounts that repeatedly share unoriginal content without meaningful enhancement, building on enforcement actions that had already been taken against 500,000 accounts in the first half of the year. — Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026 Other artists copied his style, which at first the artist considered flattering but later saw it as unoriginal as his popularity grew. — Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unoriginal

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unoriginal was in 1749

Rhymes for unoriginal

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Browse Nearby Words

unoriented
unoriginal
unoriginate
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Cite this Entry

“Unoriginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unoriginal. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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