unprecedented

adjective

ˌən-ˈpre-sə-ˌden-təd How to pronounce unprecedented (audio)
Definition of unprecedentednext
as in novel
not known or experienced before this is an unprecedented request for the reference desk

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 unprecedented A matter of climate and security Relocating populations to make way for dams is far from unprecedented in the region — though the practice often proves controversial. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 District officials took the unprecedented step of shutting down all district computer systems to limit the damage. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Need for steady baseload energy The initiative arrives as power grids face unprecedented demand. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 In the world of philanthropy, the money moved at unprecedented speed. — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unprecedented
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unprecedented
  1. novel
  2. new
  3. strange
  4. unfamiliar
  5. fresh
  6. unheard-of
  7. original
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
  • 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
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
  • The fourth grader and other students hid in an unfamiliar room for about 30 minutes as gunshots erupted nearby.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Also, look for unfamiliar providers or incorrect information in your medical records.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfamiliar
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Kansas City is also getting a major boost from running back Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the team before the season fresh off winning the Super Bowl MVP award with the Seattle Seahawks.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Readers rave about the flavorful combination of fresh apples, plump, juicy raisins, and cinnamon.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of fresh
Adjective
  • The Financial Times reported last month that Anthropic’s and OpenAI’s IPO advisers were lobbying credit-rating agencies for blue-chip status, which would be almost unheard-of for companies as unprofitable as both AI labs are.
    — Ellen DiMauro, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The museum’s floor plan, especially its curved walls, presented previously unheard-of challenges for exhibiting artworks.
    — Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of unheard-of
Adjective
  • Dyrholm’s casting in Incidents of Intimacy marks a homecoming for the Danish actress who was part of the ensemble cast in Thomas Vinterberg’s Cannes Jury Prize winner The Celebration, the first film to be made under the original manifesto.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The company didn’t launch a website until almost a year after the original retail.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of original

Browse Nearby Words

unpopularity
unprecedented
unpredictability
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Cite this Entry

“Unprecedented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unprecedented. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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