unlike

1 of 3

adjective

un·​like ˌən-ˈlīk 

: not like: such as

a

: marked by lack of resemblance : different

the two books are quite unlike

b

: marked by inequality : unequal

contributed unlike amounts

unlikeness noun

unlike

2 of 3

preposition

: not like: such as

a

: different from

a landscape unlike any other

b

: not characteristic of

it was unlike him to be late

c

: in a different manner from

spoke clearly, unlike the others

unlike

3 of 3

conjunction

: in a manner that is different than : not as

Can unlike be used as a conjunction?: Usage Guide

The use of unlike as a conjunction is less common than conjunctive use of like and, while criticized, is not as frequently cited as an error. The conjunctive unlike almost always introduces a prepositional phrase.

unlike in other areas, the judiciary cannot justify its attempt … as a necessary evil

—Alexandra M. Walsh, Stanford Law Rev.

In spite of criticism, this conjunctive use of unlike is well established in both American and British English.

Synonyms

Adjective

• different
• disparate
• dissimilar
• distant
• distinct
• distinctive
• distinguishable
• diverse
• nonidentical
• other
• unalike

Examples of unlike in a Sentence

Adjective

a comparison of unlike things

you're trying to compare very unlike things—like those proverbial apples and oranges

Preposition

The plants that grow here are unlike the plants that grow where I live.

She's unlike anyone I've ever met.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Thats’ unlike, say, distributors of Killers Of The Flower Moon that cracked down as some theaters spontaneously added intermissions given the length of the film (similar to The Brutalist). —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025

But, as Glucksmann pointed out, nothing could be more normal: fishing for votes for particular projects and forming improbable coalitions among unlike kinds are how parliamentary politics work in Spain, Germany, and the European Parliament itself. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 9 July 2024

Preposition

But unlike New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was spared Homan’s ire after backing a plan to focus on deporting violent immigrants in the country without legal status, Johnson’s political brand hinges on leftist bona fides that position him as a progressive foil to Trump. —Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025

Such a committee, similar to a super PAC in a federal election, would have had to regularly file financial disclosure reports unlike a nonprofit, which can keep most of its spending and its donors secret. —Brittany Gibson, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1600, in the meaning defined above

Conjunction

1873, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unlike

• not unlike

Kids Definition

unlike

1 of 2 adjective

un·​like ˌən-ˈlīk 

ˈən-

1

: marked by differences

people are all unlike

2

: unequal sense 1a

contributed unlike amounts

unlikeness noun

unlike

2 of 2 preposition

1

: different from

feeling completely unlike a hero

2

: not typical of

it was unlike her to be late

3

: in a different manner from

behaving unlike all the other children