unique

adjective

yu̇-ˈnēk How to pronounce unique (audio)
Definition of uniquenext
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced a unique ability to add large sums in his head

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Try This Instead

For
Try This
unique characteristics
distinctive characteristics
peculiar characteristics
specific characteristics
special characteristics
especial characteristics
a unique design
a distinct design
a distinctive design
an exclusive design
an unparalleled design
an unprecedented design
a unique perspective
an exclusive perspective
an original perspective
a distinct perspective
an unusual perspective
a different perspective
a unique situation
an unusual situation
an uncommon situation
an unparalleled situation
an exceptional situation
an unprecedented situation

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 The Rabbit Hole has an elevated yet playful and whimsical approach to food and beverage and is complemented by the seasons and moods set inside of this unique bar. —Susan Stapleton, The Tennessean, 31 July 2025 Such an attendance made for quite a unique case in the Italian soccer scene and contributed in generating heat around Como 1907 beyond its sports results, especially on social media. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 30 July 2025 Fantastic Four partners strategically leveraged their IP across cultural touchpoints — from high-impact traditional advertising to irreverent social media executions to buzzworthy experiential tactics to unique AR content, custom publishing and consumer giveaways. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 July 2025 Because the methodology relies on factors that aren’t relevant to much of the state, some counties may rank lower despite offering outstanding outdoor opportunities unique to Texas. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unique
  1. unusual
  2. only
  3. uncommon
  4. personal
  5. extraordinary
  6. special
  7. funny
  8. exceptional
Adjective
  • Their target area was unusual, though: a strip of lawn between the road and a fence bordering Interstate 65, where homeless people have set up about two dozen tents over the first half of this year.
    — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
  • Summer storms cause travel headaches every year, but these numbers are not unusual.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Guests are led behind a velvet curtain and through a hidden bookcase into the NAVI lounge inside Post Oak Hotel, the only Forbes Five-Star hotel in Texas.
    — Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Back in 2014, batteries cost more and stored less energy per unit of volume and mass, and the only way to get to the end of a 45-minute race was for each driver to have two identical cars, swapping at a mid-race pitstop.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Now, several weeks of free rent are not uncommon, along with gift cards and other specials to entice renters.
    — Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Spotty cell service or none at all is not uncommon in parts of Kerr County, northwest of San Antonio.
    — Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 24 July 2025
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com.
    — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
  • And while smoothie collabs might feel like a gimmicky celebrity trend (synonymous with aspirational wellness and a steep price tag), Klum’s take feels personal — and purposeful.
    — Brittany Talarico, People.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of personal
Adjective
  • The items range from the everyday to the extraordinary.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The Spa The hotel has a small spa with a steam room, sauna, ice bath, and a relaxation room with extraordinary views of the mountains.
    — Becky Sunshine, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • Seely is survived by numerous friends, family members, and her special cat, Corrie.
    — Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The commissioner on Thursday sent a memo to the city clerk, the city manager and other commissioners, requesting to hold a special commission meeting to discuss the city’s recent election date changes.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of special
Adjective
  • When something bad happens, five seconds later, something funny in life happens.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 31 July 2025
  • Chuck Lorre is back with yet another laugh-out-loud funny show to add to his TV universe.
    — Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 31 July 2025
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • Physicists are creating quantum computers with exceptional computing speeds, enabling a new kind of analytics and cryptography.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Audio beautifully conveys an exceptional portrayal of Yury’s and Volodya’s evolving self-perceptions amid the homophobia of their surroundings.
    — AudioFile Magazine July 31, Literary Hub, 31 July 2025
Definition of exceptional

Browse Nearby Words

union suit
unique
uniqueness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unique. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on unique

Nglish: Translation of unique for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
iykyk if you know you know slang written in a neon
Quiz: Abbreviation Station TFW you have to figure out what 15 abbreviations ...
See All