1
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced
we found some unusual shells by the high-tide mark while combing the beach
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
the famously arrogant actor accepted his award with unusual grace and humility
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unusual
That protest was heavily covered by national media, which was unusual for college activism.
—
Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
At first glance Colorado seems like an unusual place to grow wine.
—Alessandra Amodio, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2025
Still, any rating on the Torino scale above a 0 is unusual, which is why the world's space agencies have taken notice.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
Two Texas runaways were caught under unusual circumstances when one of the 13-year-old girls crashed while driving in neighboring Louisiana, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
At first glance Colorado seems like an unusual place to grow wine.
—Alessandra Amodio, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2025
Still, any rating on the Torino scale above a 0 is unusual, which is why the world's space agencies have taken notice.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
Two Texas runaways were caught under unusual circumstances when one of the 13-year-old girls crashed while driving in neighboring Louisiana, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusual
Adjective
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Though reports of explosions at Iranian military sites are uncommon, past incidents have occurred.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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Conflicting casualty figures are not uncommon in the immediate aftermath of attacks in Syria's 13-year conflict that has killed half a million people.—
Compiled by Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Between 2019 and 2024, the average age of the fleet rose 2.2 years — an extraordinary increase given the higher retirement rate of aircraft during more than a year of COVID.—
Oliver Wyman,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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When these guys become older, their skills will be even more extraordinary.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But these were hound tracks, stretching off through the snow in a strange, dark line.—
Frank C. Hibben,
Outdoor Life,
27 Feb. 2025
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Many had wondered what her future held with the company and that her acting like nothing had happened was a little strange.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The seemingly darker avant-garde direction the Grammy winner appeared to be heading signaled for many fans a return to the unique Gaga sounds that characterized peerless projects like The Fame Monster and Artpop.—
Chris Malone Mendez,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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There are 70 interactive displays and around 30 artifacts for kids and adults to look at during their visit, making each experience unique to the visitor, said John Corcoran, the exhibition director for The Science of Guinness World Records.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Now 40, playwright Jacobs-Jenkins—whose funny and startling family drama Appropriate, starring Sarah Paulson and Corey Stoll, ran for seven months on Broadway last season, winning three Tonys along the way—has become a marquee name on the American stage.—
Marley Marius,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2025
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And my self-worth’s at an all-time low The music video is seemingly made for the internet, full of funny, relatable lines expressed via a satisfyingly upfront, upbeat delivery.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Tilda Swinton, 'Michael Clayton' (2008) Swinton and George Clooney make exceptional adversaries in the engrossing legal thriller.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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The report found the company to be exceptional, with quibbles so minor that explaining them here would require a crash course in the dense lexicon of climate reporting.—
Justin Worland,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Administrators’ choices on admissions are made even more complicated by a weird dynamic in play across higher ed.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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Both of those fit a mold for an Original Screenplay winner: A Real Pain as the talky Sundance movie; The Substance as the contender that’s a little too weird to win the bigger prizes.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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According to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, in-flight medical emergencies and deaths are rare with a mortality rate of 0.21 deaths per million passengers.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2025
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The hefty fish tacos — swordfish, tuna (cooked pretty rare), and wahoo — are served on corn tortillas with cabbage, salsa and a lime crema drizzled on top.—
Kate Murphy,
Axios,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unusual. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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