UNIQUE Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'unique' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of unique are eccentric , erratic , odd , outlandish , peculiar , quaint , singular , and strange . While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. // a career unique in the annals of science

Q: When would 'eccentric' be a good substitute for 'unique'?

While in some cases nearly identical to unique , eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. // the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Q: When can 'erratic' be used instead of 'unique'?

The meanings of erratic and unique largely overlap; however, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. // a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Q: Where would 'odd' be a reasonable alternative to 'unique'?

The words odd and unique are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. // an odd sense of humor

Q: When is it sensible to use 'outlandish' instead of 'unique'?

In some situations, the words outlandish and unique are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. // outlandish fashions of the time

Q: When could 'peculiar' be used to replace 'unique'?

The synonyms peculiar and unique are sometimes interchangeable, but peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. // the peculiar status of America's first lady

Q: When might 'quaint' be a better fit than 'unique'?

Although the words quaint and unique have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. // a quaint fishing village

Q: When is 'singular' a more appropriate choice than 'unique'?

The words singular and unique can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. // a singular feeling of impending disaster

Q: In what contexts can 'strange' take the place of 'unique'?

While the synonyms strange and unique are close in meaning, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable. // a journey filled with strange sights

unique

adjective

yu̇-ˈnēk

Definition of unique next

as in unusual

being out of the ordinary the restaurant, specializing in fusion cuisine, provides a truly unique dining experience for those who can afford it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in only

being the one or ones of a class with no other members the Mapparium, a huge glass globe that visitors can walk through, is unique—there's not another one like it anywhere

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as in uncommon

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced a unique ability to add large sums in his head

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as in personal

of, relating to, or belonging to a single person a comedian who brings a unique and twisted perspective to contemporary social issues

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word unique distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of unique are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, and strange. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

When would eccentric be a good substitute for unique?

While in some cases nearly identical to unique, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When can erratic be used instead of unique?

The meanings of erratic and unique largely overlap; however, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Where would odd be a reasonable alternative to unique?

The words odd and unique are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of unique?

In some situations, the words outlandish and unique are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When could peculiar be used to replace unique?

The synonyms peculiar and unique are sometimes interchangeable, but peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When might quaint be a better fit than unique?

Although the words quaint and unique have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is singular a more appropriate choice than unique?

The words singular and unique can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can strange take the place of unique?

While the synonyms strange and unique are close in meaning, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

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 unique Her engaging novels feature memorable characters facing unique and complex circumstances, often against a backdrop of historical significance. —

News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026 And cost really is this kind of weapon’s unique selling point. —

Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026 UConn failing to get to the line wasn’t unique to the Final Four game. —

Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026 Membership started declining in the early 2000s, something not unique to their congregation as churches across the country began experiencing the same drop in attendance. —

Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unique

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unique

Adjective

When a series of tragic failures at New Era Community Health Center left scores of the county’s weakest, poorest and most erratic residents in danger, Florida health inspectors took the unusual step of threatening to shut down the home.

— Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Many of Barbosa’s followers know him for his unusual feats like holding the Guinness World Record for the fastest visits to every CTA station or sprinting through the United Center during a Bulls game.

— Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of unusual

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“Unique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unique. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of unique

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