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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 And cadets were on the hunt for unique pieces to add to their collections. —

Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026 These insights from local chefs offer visitors an authentic taste of each host city's unique culinary identity. —

Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 All year, the coastline is a unique, peaceful, and untouched place, thanks to its state park status (no one’s rolling a cooler and beach umbrella onto these rocks). —

Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 30 June 2026 Ohtani’s West Sacramento at-bats worth cherishing Ohtani might go down as the best baseball player of all time, providing unique memories to sports fans in Sacramento. —

Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unique

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unique

Adjective

What Trump is doing is unusual.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Heat domes are not unusual, but the temperatures in this one have been.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

This year’s celebration comes on the heels of a late June warehouse fire in Boyle Heights that released extraordinary amounts of soot and smoke across the county, on par with pollution generated by the previous year’s wildfires.

— Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
These were moments of extraordinary dissent against the British government by American colonists.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

Each family member receives personalized consultations and treatments tailored to their stage of life and health priorities, whether that relates to stress management, mobility, nutrition, sleep or emotional wellbeing.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026
Consumers who understand their credit, track their score and receive personalized education are more engaged and more likely to transact.

— JB Orecchia, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of personalized

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

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Synonyms of unique

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