unfamiliar 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər How to pronounce unfamiliar (audio)
Definition of unfamiliarnext
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

unfamiliarity

2 of 2

noun

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

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
Adjective
The man looked Chinese, like them, but his features were slightly different, unfamiliar in some way—though Shawn would not have been able to say how. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 The model had to reason about a structured but unfamiliar environment using the information available through the game’s underlying protocol. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
The reasons are many, ranging from the slow adoption of new medical technologies, to many urologists’ unfamiliarity with interpreting MRI scans, to the loss of income from doing fewer biopsies. — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026 Even a short period can act as an emotional and mental buffer, allowing your brain to re-adjust from the excitement and unfamiliarity of the road back to a standard, daily schedule. — Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar
  1. strange
  2. new
  3. novel
  4. unprecedented
  5. fresh
  6. original
  7. unknown
Adjective
  • The small army at Kostabi World turned out images of featureless characters moving through strange, otherworldly scenes, caught between intimacy, alienation, and the discomfort of contemporary life.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The first bit of growth might be especially strange-looking, says Sutcliffe.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • There are currently around 1,000 new Pip claims submitted every day in the UK; about 34% are successful.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
  • On Monday, the first day of the Supreme Court's new term, the justices will hear the Boulder case that could decide the fate of others like it.
    — LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of new
Adjective
  • When Anderson was first diagnosed in the late 1990s, the hepatitis C virus was still relatively novel.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Both clubs sit on hills surrounded by pine trees, offering a cool escape from the city and a novel way to immerse yourself in something that has become a fixture of 2026 Medellín.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of novel
Adjective
  • The hotel’s unprecedented vantage point envelops guests in panoramic views of Melbourne and the ocean lapping at Port Phillip Bay.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Steve Parker, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said the company expects to deliver seekers at unprecedented production levels.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of unprecedented
Adjective
  • But fresh inflation data expected next week will factor into the central bank’s decision.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The stark contrast is that the arguments are new; the drama is fresh.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of fresh
Adjective
  • The Fox reboot is being showrun by Matt Nix (Burn Notice),while many of the original creators are back to EP, including Michael Berk, Greg Bonann and Doug Schwartz, alongside new EPs Dante Di Loreto and Mike Horowitz.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The original series won the Golden Globe for best drama in 2019 and routinely lands near the top of lists hailing the best TV series of the past quarter century.
    — Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of original
Adjective
  • Because the combination of their trade for McCarthy, the mounting season-ending injuries to key players and a loss to Arizona could hurtle this season into concerning and unknown territory.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • He was transported to a local hospital; his condition is unknown.
    — Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of unknown

Browse Nearby Words

unfaltering
unfamiliar
unfamiliarity
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Cite this Entry

“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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