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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rare different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of rare are choice, dainty, delicate, elegant, and exquisite. While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

In what contexts can choice take the place of rare?

In some situations, the words choice and rare are roughly equivalent. However, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

When is it sensible to use dainty instead of rare?

The meanings of dainty and rare largely overlap; however, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

When could delicate be used to replace rare?

Although the words delicate and rare have much in common, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

When can elegant be used instead of rare?

The words elegant and rare can be used in similar contexts, but elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

When might exquisite be a better fit than rare?

The words exquisite and rare are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

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 rare The then-artistic director of Céline’s appearances were rare even then, but her stylistic aura had permeated the industry and set aesthetic codes for years to come and still to this day. Héloïse Salessy, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025 Chinese President Xi Jinping also held a rare meeting with tech entrepreneurs in February, and Beijing has signaled greater support for the private sector, after taking a more restrictive stance in recent years. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025 Outside, the brick façade, mansard roof, and dormer windows reinforce the home’s architectural pedigree, while a gated courtyard provides a rare commodity in this part of the city: private off-street parking. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2025 Keep reading for 11 rare On deals from Zappos, REI, and more — up to 40 percent off. Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rare
Adjective
  • Read More | McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery of the most unusual and intriguing new species.
    Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Cruise cancellations are relatively unusual but can happen for a number of other reasons, including when a ship is chartered or needs to go to dry dock.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His time at Ralph Lauren bleeds into the exquisite construction of the pieces Chavarria designs presently.
    Essence, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Founded in 1948 by jeweler David Webb, the house has been celebrated for its signature animal motifs, intricate gold work and exquisite use of vibrant gemstones.
    Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And non-alcohol drinks are available from The New Bar, known for its zero-proof cocktails, beers, wines, and the occasional fancy soda.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The show is thrilling as a sensory experience, humming with sinister percussive beats and the occasional muffled animal squawk in the distance.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Addressed an issue where all horse saddles were uncommon.
    Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • To be fair, government tech projects are complicated, and overruns aren’t uncommon.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Moral Feelings, Moral Reality, and Moral Progress by Thomas Nagel Omer Bartov ‘Infinite License’ The memory of the Holocaust has, perversely, been enlisted to justify both the eradication of Gaza and the extraordinary silence with which that violence has been met.
    Catherine Hall, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In July 2025, Haas will offer travelers an extraordinary journey through Colombia, providing insights into the resilience, history, and contributions of Afro-descendant communities.
    Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • However, Rosewood Baha Mar is arguably the most elegant, drawing a more discerning and spendy crowd.
    Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Many reviews praised Fitzgerald’s elegant prose but dismissed the book’s literary significance.
    Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • On her first series, the actress played the furry and funny Honk on the Kroffts’ Far Out Space Nuts, a character who spoke only in horn-like honks.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Everyone was so nervous to tell Mike what our number was, which was so funny.
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Organizations that resist this model risk missing out on exceptional talent that no longer fits the climb-the-ladder blueprint.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Vogue Weddings An all-access invitation to the exceptional and inspirational, plus planning tips and advice.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rare. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rare

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