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

\/\/ a career unique<\/em> in the annals of science<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'eccentric' be a good substitute for 'unique'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to unique<\/em>, eccentric<\/em><\/a> suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.<\/p>

\/\/ the eccentric<\/em> eating habits of preschoolers<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'erratic' be used instead of 'unique'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of erratic<\/em><\/a> and unique<\/em> largely overlap; however, erratic<\/em> stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.<\/p>

\/\/ a friend's suddenly erratic<\/em> behavior<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'odd' be a reasonable alternative to 'unique'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ an odd<\/em> sense of humor<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'outlandish' instead of 'unique'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words outlandish<\/em><\/a> and unique<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish<\/em> applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.<\/p>

\/\/ outlandish<\/em> fashions of the time<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'peculiar' be used to replace 'unique'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms peculiar<\/em><\/a> and unique<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but peculiar<\/em> implies a marked distinctiveness.<\/p>

\/\/ the peculiar<\/em> status of America's first lady<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'quaint' be a better fit than 'unique'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words quaint<\/em><\/a> and unique<\/em> have much in common, quaint<\/em> suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.<\/p>

\/\/ a quaint<\/em> fishing village<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'singular' a more appropriate choice than 'unique'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words singular<\/em><\/a> and unique<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but singular<\/em> suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.<\/p>

\/\/ a singular<\/em> feeling of impending disaster<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'strange' take the place of 'unique'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms strange<\/em><\/a> and unique<\/em> are close in meaning, strange<\/em> stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.<\/p>

\/\/ a journey filled with strange<\/em> sights<\/p>" } } ] }

unique

adjective

yu̇-ˈnÄ“k How to pronounce unique (audio)
Definition of uniquenext
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced a unique ability to add large sums in his head

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Musk and Taylor are far from unique in their views about the demise of résumés. —Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026 Knowing that it’s comprised of just four ingredients gives me great solace—each item chosen with care to cater to my skin’s unique needs. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2026 Deckman argues what makes Talarico unique among white Democrats is his comfort in talking about the Bible. —CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026 Figuring out these underlying drivers of complexity, or finding signals that indicate the presence of a complex system, could help scientists search for unique forms of life in the universe. —Mary Magnuson, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unique
  1. unusual
  2. only
  3. uncommon
  4. personal
  5. extraordinary
  6. special
  7. funny
  8. personalized
Adjective
  • The rapid melting is also increasing avalanche activity in unusual places.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • But Chris Piper, manager of public policy and stakeholder engagement at the Partnership for Public Service, said the length of time that has passed since Means' rescheduled confirmation hearing also is unusual.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Baker would probably love People’s, a new referral-only cocktail lounge in the West Village.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The only factor complicating a further invasion would be the political cost at home.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Mail-only ballot elections are a cheaper, though slightly uncommon, alternative for cities when no candidates are on the ballot, like in the case of the upcoming April 21 election in the City Beautiful, according to Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
  • That kind of thing is not uncommon.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • Local 142's donation drive in Honolulu, which accepts blankets, non-perishable food, personal hygiene products, and waterproof clothing.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
  • This could also be a time of personal transformation, when some part of yourself ends, and another begins.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of personal
Adjective
  • Basketball awards time During a season in which the individual talent for boys and girls basketball was extraordinary, earning all-star recognition became quite an achievement.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Late Shift follows a single staff member, named Floria and played by the extraordinary German actor Leonie Benesch, in a cancer ward for a tightly wound 90 minutes.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • Munyak's magic moment LIU's last basket of the night was special for the Sharks and their fans, who all erupted in cheers when Eddie Munyak banked in a 3-pointer with 53 seconds left.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Fourteen percent of Republican respondents approved of a large-scale invasion, while 63% supported using limited special forces.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of special
Adjective
  • Why the Vaping Squirrels Trend Is Dangerous The viral clips might look funny, but the reality is far less cute.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The explanation is kind of funny, but also very much a seasonal sign of renewal on the barrier islands.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • The All-Access membership offers unlimited access to Peloton's class library and the ability to create up to 20 user profiles on the machine, so everyone in your household can track their workout stats and get personalized workout suggestions.
    — Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Kadas highlights that users can send gift coffee packages embedded with a QR code and a personalized message that links recipients directly to the app.
    — Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of personalized

Browse Nearby Words

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 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unique for Spanish Speakers

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