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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unusual
The politics of this tax credit are unusual in the climate world too.
—
Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
That’s unusual in the industry, but not at Channel 5.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Candidates Kathleen O’Connor and Robin O’Connor are good-natured about the somewhat unusual circumstances.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
By Samuel Granados Footage appeared to show the right landing gear touched down first, which is not unusual for an aircraft landing in blustery conditions, experts said.
—Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
That’s unusual in the industry, but not at Channel 5.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Candidates Kathleen O’Connor and Robin O’Connor are good-natured about the somewhat unusual circumstances.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
By Samuel Granados Footage appeared to show the right landing gear touched down first, which is not unusual for an aircraft landing in blustery conditions, experts said.
—Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unusual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusual
Adjective
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But the United States’ fragmented health care system complicates detection of uncommon side effects and has provided little clarity on the range of symptoms people might have experienced after a Covid shot.—
Apoorva Mandavilli,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
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City finance officials said that structure is not uncommon and would help smooth out the overall debt load for taxpayers.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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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Even Wells, one of the most extraordinary advocates of racial justice in American history, refrained from directly confronting white supremacists when her advocacy would mean more Black loss.—
Amy Gais / Made by History,
TIME,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The strange particulars of his passing remain a mystery thus far, but Hackman’s life was lived in quiet defiance of Hollywood fame and the strictures of celebrity.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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People say Yoko’s art is strange and her music is not very good.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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With Tatters on board, Rapyd Cloud was poised to deliver exceptional results with its unique performance stack.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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These quilts, each unique in design, color, fabric and size, have come from all over Los Angeles, Oregon, Ohio, Massachusetts and the United Kingdom.—
Lisa Boone,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Spanning almost forty years from the 1980s to the present day, this ambitious series will cover the highs and lows of the brothers’ relationship, from them meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults – with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2025
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Even the guy who runs the garment shop is very funny.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The fit is exceptional, featuring a soft sockliner and upper that provides next-level comfort.—
April Benshosan,
Glamour,
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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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
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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
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 2 Mar. 2025.
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