sui generis

adjective

ˌsü-ˌī-ˈje-nə-rəs How to pronounce sui generis (audio)
Definition of sui generisnext
as in only
being the one or ones of a class with no other members among history's greats Leonardo da Vinci is often considered sui generis—a man of such stupendous genius that the world may never see his like again

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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 sui generis Lisa McGee broke through with a sui generis comedy that mined aspects of her own experience to find authentic humor in a harrowing situation. — Judy Berman, Time, 27 Feb. 2026 Together, multi-instrumentalists Marc Riordan and Jon Leland craft a sui generis anachronism, hellbent on lovingly refracting the century-old sound through a contemporary prism. — Aly Eleanor, Pitchfork, 19 Feb. 2026 Her writing plays according to very strong internal rules—the aesthetic is really regulated and, in many ways, sui generis. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026 The same thing can be said about the narrowcast programming on public-access television, which, at its best, vibrated with sui generis excitement that predated and forecasted the early uncharted territory of the internet. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sui generis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sui generis
  1. only
  2. one
  3. lone
  4. special
Adjective
  • Chaos fatigue isn’t the only side dish being served with the recent rash of court orders; chaos consequences appear to be on a platter as well.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Blodgett isn’t the only diabetic child to die after a stay at an Arizona group home.
    — Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.
    — SI.com, SI.com, 3 Aug. 2019
  • Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.
    — Johannes Himmelreich, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2018
Definition of one
Adjective
  • On a recent swampy day in July, a lone tourist was posing for a photo in front of one of the historic townhouses along Columbia Heights, the most picturesque street in Brooklyn’s most picturesque neighborhood.
    — Bridget Read, Curbed, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As usual with this pitching staff, the lone bright spot has been Logan Webb.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of lone
Adjective
  • An 85-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the third quarter gave Oregon a 27-20 lead, and after Boise State battled back to go ahead 34-27, the Broncos’ special teams unit gave up a game-tying 100-yard kickoff return.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026
  • On the other hand, Sanders and the Buffaloes will need to work on special teams despite Carter’s brilliant rush off the edge during that field goal block.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of special

Browse Nearby Words

suiciding
sui generis
suing
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Cite this Entry

“Sui generis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sui%20generis. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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