1
as in exotic
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest
an American visitor in that remote Chinese village is a rarity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in exception
something that is different from what is ordinary or expected
a meal accompanied by wine is a rarity in this house
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 rarity
The Florida Panthers might not be in the Stanley Cup playoffs this year — a rarity these days for the two-time defending champions — but the calendar will still be busy.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 May 2026
That’s a rarity for Edwards, who has become the voice of the Mighty Macs, consistently leading the team and pushing her teammates to keep getting better.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Disneyland guide maps printed by Advantage ColorGraphics over the past three decades often show up on eBay for hundreds of dollars — depending on the rarity of the Disneyana collectibles.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Much remains unknown about where the passengers were infected, but seeing rats, mice or other rodents aboard cruise ships is a rarity.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rarity
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 May 2026
That’s a rarity for Edwards, who has become the voice of the Mighty Macs, consistently leading the team and pushing her teammates to keep getting better.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Disneyland guide maps printed by Advantage ColorGraphics over the past three decades often show up on eBay for hundreds of dollars — depending on the rarity of the Disneyana collectibles.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Much remains unknown about where the passengers were infected, but seeing rats, mice or other rodents aboard cruise ships is a rarity.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rarity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rarity
Noun
-
Here are my picks and exotics for the 2026 Kentucky Oaks. 2026 Kentucky Oaks Day Betting Card Race 8: $5 to Win on #2 French Fiction. Race 9: $5 to Win and Place on #8 Corporate Power ($10 total bet).—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
The list includes coveted exotics, like the Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM, along with some unexpected names, like the Toyota Rav4 EV short-wheelbase prototype.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With very few exceptions, an end was declared, not only to empires, but also to city-states, duchies, principalities, emirates, sultanates, caliphates, khanates, agencies, princely states, colonies, suzerains, dependencies, mandates, tributaries, condominia and protectorates.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
In the aggregate, there is a correlation between earlier picks and better outcomes, but exceptions abound.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The Museo Nazionale del Cinema’s collection traces cinema’s full technological arc from early street-show curiosities to the modern moving image.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
The performance reestablishes him as an active MMA force rather than a boxing curiosity.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The massive rocket has encountered a number of anomalies and failures since its debut in April 2023 ended in a premature explosion, including fiery mishaps both on the test stand and mid-flight that have attracted plenty of headlines.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
Diego, its creator, begins to notice glitches and anomalies that reveal alternative uses for the system.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Benjamín Echazarreta’s cinematography is alert to the workaday energy of the hotel as well as the eerie beauty of the setting, with its mix of fairy-tale wonder and bone-deep dread.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
Some looks are too good to be treated as a one-wear wonder, and such looks are often by Chanel.—
Alice Newbold,
Vogue,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
According to the National Institutes of Health's Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, Schwartz-Jampel syndrome is a condition where the muscles permanently stiffen and a person has bone abnormalities called chondrodysplasia, both of which can worsen over time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
-
As part of that effort, the railroad has installed inspection portals that scan the trains and take pictures to help spot any abnormalities that would suggest contraband or immigrants aboard the train.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Medical staff did tend to Castillo as the referee walked away, but fans were quick to notice some oddities in the brief fight.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
My aunt and uncle, who live in Santa Fe—home to the International Folk Art Market, one of the largest such festivals in the world (the next one is July 9-12)—are devoted flea-market pickers and collectors of antique oddities.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Purists and fans were dispirited; this 650 hp engine had its own fan base for its throaty power and engineering marvel.—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Getting the carbon out of buildings, factories, and transportation infrastructure provides no awe, no spiritual elevation, no invitation for humans to reflect on the marvel that is our planet.—
John Reid,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rarity. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
