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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Recent Examples of sui generis
Yet the stresses of Series games are sui generis, sometimes requiring extraordinary exertions.
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Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
No artist is completely original, but time has proven Lady Gaga sui generis.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
Parker was often abrasive, but Crowther considers Parker empathetically, as a sui generis who resisted becoming a cog in the filmmaking machinery.
—Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024
The Religious is the sui generis otherworldly; the Media is the epitome of the profane this-worldly.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Harper's Magazine, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for sui generis 
Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
No artist is completely original, but time has proven Lady Gaga sui generis.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
Parker was often abrasive, but Crowther considers Parker empathetically, as a sui generis who resisted becoming a cog in the filmmaking machinery.
—Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024
The Religious is the sui generis otherworldly; the Media is the epitome of the profane this-worldly.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Harper's Magazine, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for sui generis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sui generis
Adjective
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Monday's videos appeared to be the only content that was uploaded by the account in its roughy 11-month existence.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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The only other running backs to win it this century were USC’s Reggie Bush in 2005 and Alabama’s Mark Ingram in 2009.Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Such a leader should have a strong grasp of the challenges faced by innovators who often operate outside traditional corporate structures, from small startups to lone inventors in garages or co-working spaces.Steve Forbes, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
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Soto had notably not developed that kind of relationship with Hal Steinbrenner in his lone season across town, leaving open the chance for Cohen or another owner to court him this winter.Tim Britton, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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While serving in Joe Biden’s Justice Department, the special counsel concocted a novel legal case against Biden’s foremost political opponent and would have been happy to try Donald Trump in the midst of the presidential election campaign.Rich Lowry, National Review, 10 Dec. 2024
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The days leading up to Christmas are some of the most special—when our homes are filled with twinkling lights, cheerful decorations, and the cozy, unmistakable feeling of holiday magic.Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Enameled cast iron, however, is unique, and cooks are fond of it for its versatility, which is all the more reason to take care when cleaning it after cooking.Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024
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How each parent reacts to the journey is also extremely unique, and influences what stages are the most stressful or enjoyable.Melissa Willets, Parents, 20 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Sui generis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sui%20generis. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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