unknown

adjective

ˌən-ˈnōn How to pronounce unknown (audio)
Definition of unknownnext
1
as in unfamiliar
happening or existing without one's knowledge unknown to me was the fact that while I was out, my family was hurriedly preparing a surprise birthday party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in novel
not known or experienced before becoming a father brought unknown joy to his life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obscure
not widely known looking for a relatively unknown singer to record the song

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 unknown And, earlier this week, two cargo ships sank after attacks by unknown projectiles in separate incidents. — Lou Robinson, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 The number of rental cars stolen in the United States and taken to Mexico each year is unknown, but it is believed to be in the thousands. — Steve Fisher special Correspondent follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Then Sean moves away and grows up to become a spy who, after wrapping up a mission involving smuggling a nuclear warhead for reasons unknown, decides to pay an impromptu visit to his tweenage buddies. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 According to Chicago police, the victim, whose age was not released, was involved in an argument and fight with an unknown suspect, who then pulled out a sharp object and attacked him. — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unknown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknown
  1. unfamiliar
  2. novel
  3. obscure
  4. unbeknownst
  5. strange
  6. unrecognized
  7. unprecedented
  8. new
Adjective
  • Korean writer-director Han Jun-hee talked strategies for getting audiences to respond to risky or unfamiliar material in a masterclass at Netflix’s Creative Asia day at Busan International Film Festival.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Feeling her way through unfamiliar worlds has been something of a lifelong predicament and opportunity for Choi.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfamiliar
Adjective
  • Massive novel diversity Resting up to 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) deep in the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is strewn with millions of potato-sized metallic rocks.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The critics already called the novel postcolonial and feminist.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of novel
Adjective
  • What came next would eventually turn an obscure Medicaid settlement into a criminal investigation.
    — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • There was very little original local production, and people were finding their favourite TV shows through obscure corners of the web.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • However, unbeknownst to the girls, the men left the original villa setting and snuck away to Casa Amor, a second filming location where six bombshells in sexy costumes were waiting to steal guys' hearts.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • That same night, unbeknownst to friends and family, the couple spontaneously wed in a courthouse wedding.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Definition of unbeknownst
Adjective
  • That sentence would have sounded like insanity a few decades ago, but in the strange world of Hollywood in the 2020s, weirder might really be better.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Fielder is a refreshingly candid guide through this strange land.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • By contrast, the same injury in an older adult may be affected by reduced balance, lower bone density, tendon degeneration, arthritis, drug side effects or an unrecognized fracture.
    — Michael Swartzon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The continents were later named after another Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci, who helped establish that the lands Europeans had encountered were part of a previously unrecognized continent.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of unrecognized
Adjective
  • What’s going to move the shopping needle for accessories for spring 2027 will most likely be driven by unprecedented colors.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The base level of availability expected of people who work is unprecedented.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of unprecedented
Adjective
  • An emergency program was followed by an initial slowdown in new cases after almost 20 million children received a vaccination in April and May.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • In the middle of one of those summer heatwaves this year, Kember was in the promotional cycle for a record with his new partner of 15 years, Panda Bear.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of new

Browse Nearby Words

unknowledgeable
unknown
unlace
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknown. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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