Definition of unknownnext
1
as in unfamiliar
happening or existing without one's knowledge unknown to me was the fact that while I was out, my family was hurriedly preparing a surprise birthday party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3

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 unknown The agent was taken to a hospital in unknown condition. Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026 The meaning of Neutaconkanut is unknown, according to the nomination form. Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026 Firefighters said two men from the suspect's vehicle were taken to the hospital in an unknown condition. Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026 Although a doorbell camera was disconnected, the front door itself doesn't appear to have been tampered with, and the condition of the back door was unknown. Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unknown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknown
Adjective
  • Meet the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat For those unfamiliar with this elusive species, the northern hairy-nosed wombat is a remarkable creature by any measure.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Review linked apps and remove anything unfamiliar or unused.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • There's been nothing even resembling a male stripping past for me, so this was truly novel.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
  • And when the next novel pathogen emerges — not if, when — doctors will be at a loss.
    Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • And third, the center of the nebula is obscure, with what looks like a wispy cloud in the foreground blocking us from seeing the central star itself.
    Big Think, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The group that organized the convoy was connected to a broader network of nurses, doctors, and volunteers, which had been coördinating dozens of surgeries for protesters marooned in their homes, in obscure corners of the country.
    Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie turned the wizardly backstory into an epic adventure, opening a gateway for young unbeknownst fantasy fans everywhere while also delivering a classically wholesome story about the importance of family and a parent's unconditional love.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 1 July 2024
  • For a surprise at the end, unbeknownst even to King, Winfrey arranged a path lined with sparklers, framing the couple in a golden glow against the night sky.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 June 2024
Adjective
  • In a strange twist, the Max app was developed by VKontakte (VK), which Durov co-founded before selling his shares and leaving Russia in 2014, after Durov said the Kremlin had asked the site to hand over Ukrainian users’ data.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Paul, the polarizing boxer, has been no stranger to showing emotion.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Look for who feels seen or overlooked, which moments are usually highlighted, and where teams might feel unrecognized or underappreciated.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Some injuries can even go unrecognized for a little bit.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • And the social platforms won that power to censor through their sheer, unprecedented size.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
  • James is appearing in his record 21st All-Star Game after being selected for the 22nd time in his unprecedented 23-year career.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • This work offers a new platform for designing efficient photo-electrocatalysts and advancing next-generation solar–electrochemical energy conversion systems.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase faced additional allegations of rigging pitches to benefit bettors in a new document filed on Thursday.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknown. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on unknown

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!