as in only
being the one or ones of a class with no other members
among history's greats Leonardo da Vinci is often considered sui generis—a man of such stupendous genius that the world may never see his like again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 sui generis
Indeed, there may be some hope and comfort in the notion the 45th and soon-to-be 47th president of these United States is sui generis, a one-off, a fabulist political unicorn.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
There is in fact nothing sui generis about Belarus’s nonviolent protests, nor are they rooted in the pandemic.
—Maryia Sadouskaya-Komlach, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2020
Yet the stresses of Series games are sui generis, sometimes requiring extraordinary exertions.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
No artist is completely original, but time has proven Lady Gaga sui generis.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sui generis 
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
There is in fact nothing sui generis about Belarus’s nonviolent protests, nor are they rooted in the pandemic.
—Maryia Sadouskaya-Komlach, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2020
Yet the stresses of Series games are sui generis, sometimes requiring extraordinary exertions.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
No artist is completely original, but time has proven Lady Gaga sui generis.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sui generis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sui generis
Adjective
-
In 1892, he was elected once again, becoming the 24th president of the U.S. and the only former president to be restored to the office — until Trump’s victory in the 2024 election.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Prior to Trump's 2024 victory, Democrat Grover Cleveland was the only president to have done so.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.—
SI.com,
SI.com,
3 Aug. 2019
-
Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.—
Johannes Himmelreich,
BostonGlobe.com,
30 Mar. 2018
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, the Jets haven’t played in a Super Bowl since their lone win in January 1969.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Noem, who held her state’s lone U.S. House seat for eight years before becoming governor in 2019, has risen in the GOP by tacking closely with Trump.—
Associated Pess,
Hartford Courant,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
There is no special secret or special protection style or special technique.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Wishing you all the love and joy in the world on this special day.—
Anna Moeslein,
Parents,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Brokers are also finding unique ways to increase inventory.—
Hadley Meares,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Despite its already historic strides in the sport of women’s basketball, Friday night’s game itself provided a unique brand of excitement from tip-off.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
19 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to sui generis
Thesaurus Entries Near sui generis
Cite this Entry
“Sui generis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sui%20generis. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share