extraordinary

adjective

ik-ˈstrȯr-də-ˌner-ē How to pronounce extraordinary (audio)
Definition of extraordinarynext
1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary the marine is being cited for extraordinary courage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced no one noticed anything extraordinary about the airline passenger

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 extraordinary The blowers must purse their lips in just the right spot and exercise extraordinary breath control. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 Spinnova plans to convene an extraordinary general meeting in late September. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 Looking back on her extraordinary life, few could have guessed how big that little girl could dream. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 For Fasano, the extraordinary nature of Rota’s music means that the documentary’s job is less to explain it than to create the space for it to be heard and felt. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extraordinary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extraordinary
  1. unusual
  2. uncommon
  3. exceptional
  4. strange
  5. unique
  6. funny
  7. rare
  8. weird
Adjective
  • While his batting order remains unchanged, the team has made an unusual move, relocating Guerrero's locker to a new spot.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Land exchanges are common elsewhere in the federal government, but exchanging National Park Service land for private development access is unusual, NOTUS reported, citing a former park service official.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Following his diagnosis and death, Brody’s parents received messages from other families in Ladera Ranch whose children had suffered from the same uncommon disease.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The league could perhaps benefit from such messaging in its stadiums and on its helmets because DUI arrests or other traffic incidents involving NFL people are not uncommon.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • Sharif said Noreen displayed exceptional courage and devotion to duty by risking her life to save the newborn moments before the nursery burned down.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Founders who recently had one exceptional year sometimes assume that year represents their new baseline, when a buyer will more likely average the last three years, or discount the outlier entirely.
    — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • Some are quieter this year, some are almost ridiculous, but all of them share a strange sense of purpose.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • His attempt to discover what he is supposed to be doing propels him through a succession of increasingly strange encounters, as his search for purpose becomes entangled with his desire for love, friendship and some kind of place in the world.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • The growing normalization and adoption of open-weight AI models, as enterprises and consumers alike seek to customize models to their unique use cases.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Nike’s athletes’ kits this season were inspired by basketball, presenting a unique sartorial challenge blending the two distinct on-court sports.
    — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • The results are sexy and funny, strange and gorgeous, personal and political, unconcerned with taboo or traditional structure.
    — Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Royals’ bat boy comes in and out of view, but there are two funny moments.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • On September 1, Claire Stoermer shared a rare childhood photo of her daughter to celebrate the milestone.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
  • If the event detected by this team was caused by the rare interaction between two WIMPs, this would tell scientists some things about these currently hypothetical particles.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of rare
Adjective
  • This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a comically weird dinner with Kel’s ex, Sabrina (a scintillatingly eccentric Jasmin Savoy Brown).
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of weird

Browse Nearby Words

extraordinariness
extraordinary
extrapolate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extraordinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extraordinary. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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