as in strange
not known or experienced before
ordered an unfamiliar wine and was surprised to find that it was much drier than what they were used to
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfamiliar
Expect loose, watery, urgent stools, usually with cramping when consuming unfamiliar foods.
—
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Buying prescription glasses online may feel unfamiliar at first, but the process has become far more accessible in recent years.
—Footwear News, 12 June 2026
Yaupon may be unfamiliar to many tea drinkers, but this local, sustainable source of caffeine dates back at least 1,000 years.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 12 June 2026
Some applicants straddle the line between new and old, offering fresh perspectives without being unfamiliar with the players or the game.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Buying prescription glasses online may feel unfamiliar at first, but the process has become far more accessible in recent years.
—Footwear News, 12 June 2026
Yaupon may be unfamiliar to many tea drinkers, but this local, sustainable source of caffeine dates back at least 1,000 years.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 12 June 2026
Some applicants straddle the line between new and old, offering fresh perspectives without being unfamiliar with the players or the game.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliar
Adjective
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The issue at hand – renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA – has created strange political bedfellows this year on Capitol Hill, miring lawmakers in a debate pitting privacy against safety while consuming much of Congress' election-year time.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Brunson answered with one of the strangest makes of his postseason.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Students at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill designed and 3D-printed a new version of the vuvuzela, the loud plastic horn that became infamous during past international soccer tournaments.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
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Morgan and Tilis have other potential extensions to sort out over the next few months, as cornerback Mike Jackson and quarterback Bryce Young are among potential candidates for new deals.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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This moving novel unfurls its truths one letter at a time, filling in a complex and memorable picture of one woman’s life.—
Esther K. Choy,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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Obesity has become a massive global health crisis, but the emergence of novel anti-obesity drugs has been a powerful tool in curbing the pandemic.—
Isabella Backman,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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In an unprecedented move, a stretch of Interstate 95 was shut down for days because of the thick smoke and flames.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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After that, Obsession’s business leaped an unprecedented 39% upward in its second weekend in theaters and a 14% jump in weekend three, before taking a mere 7% dip in weekend four.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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Every small step toward ensuring our fellow neighbors have access to fresh, nutritious food helps to build a healthier, more vibrant community.—
Michael Farver,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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Ferrari opted for a three-stop race to give Hamilton fresher tires on a track that is known to be hard on rubber, especially with track temperatures at 50 Celsius (122 F).—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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The closure was prompted caused by increasing costs and the death of the original owner Mansour Yaghoubian, his son, Edmond Yaghoubian, told The Bee.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
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She was seen holding a VHS copy of the original Toy Story, signed by members of the cast.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The offender fled in a red SUV in an unknown direction.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
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Also named in the indictment were Jonathan Hongru Zou, 22, and Alexander Sepulveda, 23, who were accused of throwing two glass jars filled with an unknown blue substance through the window of the home of the university’s provost, Laurie McCauley.—
James Cirrone,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliar. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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