uncharacteristic

adjective

un·​char·​ac·​ter·​is·​tic ˌən-ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-stik 

-ˌka-rik-

: not characteristic : not typical or distinctive

uncharacteristic outbursts of temper

uncharacteristically

ˌən-ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-sti-k(ə-)lē 

-ˌka-rik-

adverb

Examples of uncharacteristic in a Sentence

It was an uncharacteristic outburst of temper.

Her uncharacteristic silence bothered me.

Recent Examples on the Web

The multi-hyphenate businessman came to IG two days later to address an uncharacteristic absence from the social media platform. —Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 20 Mar. 2025

The records also indicate that, shortly after that check was delivered to the DSS office in Hartford, state officials took the uncharacteristic step of canceling the audit for Zervas’ practice. —Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025

But when a character commits an act that’s so desperately uncharacteristic, something needs to happen. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025

The Dallas Cowboys ended the 2024 season with an uncharacteristic 7-10 record, the team needs to retool to get back to the playoffs in 2025. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uncharacteristic

• deuteronomistic
• imperialistic
• materialistic
• nondeterministic
• nonrelativistic
• oligopolistic
• particularistic
• sociolinguistic
• universalistic
• agonistic
• altruistic
• animistic