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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rare different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of rare are choice, dainty, delicate, elegant, and exquisite. While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

In what contexts can choice take the place of rare?

In some situations, the words choice and rare are roughly equivalent. However, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

When is it sensible to use dainty instead of rare?

The meanings of dainty and rare largely overlap; however, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

When could delicate be used to replace rare?

Although the words delicate and rare have much in common, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

When can elegant be used instead of rare?

The words elegant and rare can be used in similar contexts, but elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

When might exquisite be a better fit than rare?

The words exquisite and rare are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

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 rare Rare Art and Collectibles The tax benefits of rare art and collectibles is variable. Matt King, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 Though very unlikely, prolonged sitting also increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a rare and potentially serious condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 8 July 2025 That’s certainly rare — especially when the show has been this successful. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025 Of late, in a rare instance of going further than the right-wing Project 2025 itself, Trump has been testing out the notion of kicking U.S. citizens, naturalized and born here, out of the country too. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for rare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rare
Adjective
  • The result is an unusual savory drink that is light and crisp.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
  • That said, league officials presenting spending data and other economic information to owners and team leaders isn’t unusual.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Where a few queens overdo the assignment, Daya’s duct-tape gown reminded that her bad-girl aesthetic still comes channeled through Daya’s exquisite taste.
    Chris Feil, Vulture, 11 July 2025
  • Edmund is particularly exquisite in bringing to life the layered history of a location, transporting readers through the eyes of the famous who might have stared at the same monument.
    Michael T. Luongo July 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • The 32-year-old spent the last two seasons exclusively in the NHL after grinding his way through AHL seasons with the occasional call-up.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 10 July 2025
  • Disruption today is built-in—an ever-present reality, not just an occasional glitch.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • About 46 novas per year explode in the Milky Way—but since many are very far away, spotting one with the naked eye in the night sky is uncommon.
    Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025
  • And on purely residential streets, that type of building is uncommon since many houses don't have separate bases.
    Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Under his leadership, Apple launched the Watch, expanded into the health sector, and maintained extraordinary logistical consistency despite global disruptions.
    Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • In both cases, the National Weather Service offered clear warnings of potentially life-threatening weather events; in Los Angeles, warnings were given days before extraordinary winds — of up to 100 mph — slammed a region already suffering from a record-dry fall.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • The dress has elegant puff sleeves, romantic florals, and a square-neck that keeps you covered.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 12 July 2025
  • Actor Andrew Garfield wore his trusty Omega De Ville Trésor, soccer star Bukayo Saka flexed a gorgeous Patek Philippe Nautilus, and Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa flaunted an elegant Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Their loyalty and love for each other is rewarded just by being cooler and funnier than anyone else around.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025
  • But a journalist and the comedian swapping professions for a day or two could be funny.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • And in that world, the 2025 Toyota Sequoia brings not just luxury and off-road capability, but exceptional long-term reliability.
    Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • One traveler noted their exceptional comfort during a trip to Portugal, praising their elevated look and all-day wearability.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rare. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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