unique

adjective

yu̇-ˈnēk How to pronounce unique (audio)
Definition of uniquenext
1
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person a comedian who brings a unique and twisted perspective to contemporary social issues

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary the restaurant, specializing in fusion cuisine, provides a truly unique dining experience for those who can afford it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in only
being the one or ones of a class with no other members the Mapparium, a huge glass globe that visitors can walk through, is unique—there's not another one like it anywhere

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4
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced a unique ability to add large sums in his head

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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unique characteristics
distinctive characteristics
peculiar characteristics
specific characteristics
special characteristics
especial characteristics
a unique design
a distinct design
a distinctive design
an exclusive design
an unparalleled design
an unprecedented design
a unique perspective
an exclusive perspective
an original perspective
a distinct perspective
an unusual perspective
a different perspective
a unique situation
an unusual situation
an uncommon situation
an unparalleled situation
an exceptional situation
an unprecedented situation

Synonym Chooser

How is the word unique distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of unique are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, and strange. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

When would eccentric be a good substitute for unique?

While in some cases nearly identical to unique, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When can erratic be used instead of unique?

The meanings of erratic and unique largely overlap; however, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Where would odd be a reasonable alternative to unique?

The words odd and unique are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of unique?

In some situations, the words outlandish and unique are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When could peculiar be used to replace unique?

The synonyms peculiar and unique are sometimes interchangeable, but peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When might quaint be a better fit than unique?

Although the words quaint and unique have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is singular a more appropriate choice than unique?

The words singular and unique can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can strange take the place of unique?

While the synonyms strange and unique are close in meaning, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

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 unique Buyers have their own priorities, too, as well as unique preferences such as proximity to work and family, and preferred community amenities and culture. —Berit Thorkelson, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025 Each detector is responsible for uncovering information in 17 unique wavelength bands; so altogether, this infrared eye on the sky is able to study the universe in a staggering 102 bands. —Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2025 The note features a cryptic math puzzle that, when solved correctly using a unique personal identifier, reveals the phone number of the person who found the wallet. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 Remember, your unique perspective is your greatest strength. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unique
  1. personal
  2. unusual
  3. only
  4. uncommon
  5. extraordinary
  6. special
  7. funny
  8. subjective
Adjective
  • Once data has gone into a public chatbot, there’s very little control over what happens to it, and there have been cases of personal data entered by one user being exposed in responses to other users.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The benefits of using apple cider vinegar for sleep or taking it specifically at night are largely based on personal accounts rather than research.
    — Johna Burdeos, Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of personal
Adjective
  • Cruise cancellations are relatively unusual but can happen for a number of other reasons, including when a ship is chartered or needs to go to dry dock.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Instead of relying on old red flags like misspellings or poor grammar, employees should be trained to identify behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected requests for urgent financial transactions or unusual communication patterns.
    — Stephen Moore, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Jordan Burks had the only double-double of the night for either team, with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Toni wasn't the only sister to pay tribute with a video.
    — Esther Kang, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Addressed an issue where all horse saddles were uncommon.
    — Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • To be fair, government tech projects are complicated, and overruns aren’t uncommon.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • The show chronicles the extraordinary real-life journey of Molly Kochan, a woman who set out to explore her sexuality after being diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Moral Feelings, Moral Reality, and Moral Progress by Thomas Nagel Omer Bartov ‘Infinite License’ The memory of the Holocaust has, perversely, been enlisted to justify both the eradication of Gaza and the extraordinary silence with which that violence has been met.
    — Catherine Hall, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • What makes her special is that while in the NCAA, Nugent frequently competed in the 100-meter hurdles and 100-meter dash, earning several All-American honors in both events.
    — Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Batson is joined by organizers from the tournament’s other host nations in a special episode of The Athletic FC podcast called A World Cup Divided: Trump and 2026, which focuses on the political backdrop to next year’s global event.
    — Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of special
Adjective
  • On her first series, the actress played the furry and funny Honk on the Kroffts’ Far Out Space Nuts, a character who spoke only in horn-like honks.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Everyone was so nervous to tell Mike what our number was, which was so funny.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • For example, when the count is 2-1 and the batter doesn't swing at a borderline pitch, his fate will be dramatically shifted by the home plate umpire's subjective call.
    — Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Participants acknowledge that judging of this kind is by its nature subjective.
    — TIME.com, TIME.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of subjective

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union suit
unique
uniqueness
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Cite this Entry

“Unique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unique. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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