UNFAMILIAR Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

unfamiliar

adjective

ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər

Definition of unfamiliar

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

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Example 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 unfamiliar Distance from family, unfamiliar systems and language barriers are real considerations. — Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026 The distinction matters because responding to a signal and accurately classifying an unfamiliar chemical mixture are separate tasks. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 For those unfamiliar with Fielder’s career or filmmaking approach, his assent to award season hopeful — even frontrunner — has felt like welcoming a strange alien to a planet inhabited by the slick Hollywood establishment. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 These crowdsourced reviews focus on taste, texture and value rather than price alone, which gives shoppers a trusted way to vet an unfamiliar grocery product before buying it. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar

Adjective

After Orson’s reading from the novel, the broadcast cuts in on a weather report that is then followed by a dance music concert, but the smooth tango music is interrupted by breaking news of strange explosions on Mars.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
However, a strange light phenomenon and the arrival of her physicist ex-husband pull her back into the scientific world.

— Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

While Usher was off basking in the afterglow of Confessions, maturing into a divorcé in the mid-2000s, the R&B world was already priming itself for a new-school successor.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
Many voters thank him for pulling Serbia from economic obscurity and orchestrating a period of sustained modernisation including new highways, railways, schools and hospitals.

— Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of new

Adjective

Chef Williams Saurina adds his own touches, with novel spins on ceviche, zesty salsas flecked with pumpkin seeds, and aromatic Tikin Xic (sea bass with recado rojo, made from local achiote, wrapped in totomoxtle leaf).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Making collaboration count That same logic is also driving interest in sourcing pools—by no means a novel concept but one that has been discussed more in the abstract than put into practice.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of novel

Adjective

Iran’s allies and proxies, including those in Iraq and Yemen, have also struck Saudi oil facilities and civilian infrastructure, putting unprecedented pressure on the kingdom.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Monday’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed that Anthropic, like other AI firms, is splashing out unprecedented amounts of cash on cloud services to run its AI models.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of unprecedented

Adjective

Memories are fresh of the nationwide protests sparked by economic pressures that led to a deadly crackdown weeks before the war.

— Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Most of the candy is in spotless Plexiglas bins, hundreds of them, and throughout the shop are fresh confections such as ice cream, sodas, a chocolate fountain.

— Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of fresh

Adjective

Don’t miss the 153-year-old Point Arena Lighthouse, where a climb up the 115-foot tower yields birds-eye views and the Signal Museum houses the original Fresnel lens.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Not every case deserves that kind of last-minute intervention, but in Duckett’s case nearly every shred of evidence presented at his original trial has been disproven or debunked.

— Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of original

Adjective

Their list ‌of 250 ⁠largely unknown candidates includes university professors, actors and farmers, and is led by cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic.

— Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
Findings could improve future water monitoring Despite the notable differences, the researchers emphasized that their models do not directly measure unknown PFAS concentrations or establish additional health risks.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of unknown

Browse Nearby Words

unfaltering

unfamiliar

unfamiliarity

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unfamiliar

adjective

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