as in strange
not known or experienced before
ordered an unfamiliar wine and was surprised to find that it was much drier than what they were used to
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ignorance
the state of being unaware or uninformed
some intense studying rapidly remedied my unfamiliarity with the subject in time for the exam
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfamiliar
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
In the shot, a pair of unfamiliar legs can be seen sticking out underneath the branches at the bottom of the tree.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Isaac is not unfamiliar with the terrain, having played a Dylan-adjacent folk singer in the Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2024
Within the feverish climate of social media, this made for an unfamiliar sort of restraint — almost as unusual as the street homicide of an American businessman.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unfamiliar 
Adjective
Wisconsinites may have heard an unfamiliar weather term on Wednesday when a snow squall warning was issued in the Mauston area in the early afternoon.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
In the shot, a pair of unfamiliar legs can be seen sticking out underneath the branches at the bottom of the tree.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Isaac is not unfamiliar with the terrain, having played a Dylan-adjacent folk singer in the Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2024
Within the feverish climate of social media, this made for an unfamiliar sort of restraint — almost as unusual as the street homicide of an American businessman.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar
Adjective
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At the time, federal law gave the Bureau a strange grab bag of investigative duties, ranging from interstate prostitution to antitrust violations.Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024
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When Sandy goes missing, the line between reality and game blurs and Conor must venture into the strange world of OBEX to bring her home.Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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After that, ignorance will be bliss for the would-be moneybags.Amy Hubbard, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
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Cancer experts told The Hill that research toward cervical cancer prevention and treatment receives less funding compared to other diseases for three main reasons: low late-stage survival rates, ignorance of how prevalent the disease is and stigma surrounding it.Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Any new import levies are on a collision course with stubbornly flat industrial production — a crucial driver of domestic and international volume from sectors that include mining, manufacturing, chemicals and electricity — and lingering overcapacity from the COVID shipping boom, experts said.Lisa Baertlein, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
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As another new year approaches, businesses in every industry are reevaluating their priorities to adapt to evolving market demands and consumer expectations.Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Institutions and educators are realizing the necessity of incorporating these novel technologies to improve learning and multidisciplinary cooperation.Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
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This type of ping-ponging of priorities from administration to administration is typical, but the change is expected to be even more pronounced, given Abruzzo’s novel approach.Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The potential for malicious actors to exploit these systems poses an unprecedented threat to public safety.Songyee Yoon, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, Israel has struck Iran repeatedly this year through conventional military means, targeting crucial missile production facilities and anti-aircraft defenses—clearly prevailing in the tit-for-tat exchange of unprecedented direct attacks on each nation’s soil.Kay Armin Serjoie, TIME, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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But the attack called fresh attention to deepening frustrations over health coverage.Stephanie Kelly and Julie Steenhuysen, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
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Smaller is better Restarting old plants is a limited solution, though, because there simply aren't that many old plants in the U.S. awaiting a fresh influx of cash.Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Top Stories: Only five people know the original Modjeska recipe, and anyone who makes the candy at Muth's Candies in Louisville must learn it by heart.Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 14 Dec. 2024
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The Pro keeps the same strong tactile switches and gasket mounting system of the original BlackWidow V4 75% and adds wireless connectivity, a new dial on the side, and a customizable OLED screen right next to it.Henri Robbins, WIRED, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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What the roster will look like by spring training is still unknown.Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
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Officials did not say how many people were involved in the crash, and their injury status was unknown, according to a police spokesperson.Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 12 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near unfamiliar
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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