uncommon

adjective

ˌən-ˈkä-mən How to pronounce uncommon (audio)
Definition of uncommonnext
1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary a landscape of uncommon beauty

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rare
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced backyard swimming pools are not an uncommon sight in that neighborhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word uncommon distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of uncommon are infrequent, rare, scarce, and sporadic. While all these words mean "not common or abundant," uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation.

smallpox is now uncommon in many countries

When could infrequent be used to replace uncommon?

In some situations, the words infrequent and uncommon are roughly equivalent. However, infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.

infrequent family visits

When would rare be a good substitute for uncommon?

The words rare and uncommon are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.

rare first editions

When is it sensible to use scarce instead of uncommon?

While in some cases nearly identical to uncommon, scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance.

jobs were scarce during the Depression

In what contexts can sporadic take the place of uncommon?

The words sporadic and uncommon can be used in similar contexts, but sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.

sporadic cases of influenza

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 uncommon In my experience as an executive coach, such listening sessions are uncommon due to fear of reprisal from politicians and other powerful stakeholders. —Annmarie Caño, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2025 Queues of nearly three hours were not uncommon in its first summer. —Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 Sometimes, political leadership requires uncommon courage, especially when faced with annoyed and embarrassed constituents, caught and fined for driving recklessly. —John Seng, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025 Zoom in: Vitamin A deficiencies are uncommon in the U.S., according to the Mayo Clinic. —April Rubin, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncommon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommon
  1. unusual
  2. rare
  3. extraordinary
  4. strange
  5. exceptional
  6. funny
  7. unique
  8. weird
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
  • Instead of relying on old red flags like misspellings or poor grammar, employees should be trained to identify behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected requests for urgent financial transactions or unusual communication patterns.
    — Stephen Moore, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Sienna Miller and her daughter Marlowe made a rare appearance together at Savannah Miller’s Bridal Ballerina Breakfast, and the resemblance between the two is uncanny.
    — Nicol Natale, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In an industry where longevity is rare, cryptocurrency exchange BitMart celebrates its seventh anniversary amid a landscape marked by volatility, security challenges, and rapid technological evolution.
    — Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of rare
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
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • Republicans should also get over their strange allergy to cutting the capital gains tax.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Based on the wildly popular video game, the fantasy comedy film (now in theaters) is a deeply strange fever dream that also gets a few genuine laughs.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of strange
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
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • Welcome to My Blue Sky is twice as great — totally brash, always loud, always effusive, and usually funny even when their lives are falling apart, which is constantly.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • These lanterns are bright, and their unique design makes the solar hanging light the perfect outdoor decoration.
    — Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The underlying signal itself can also be unique for people or groups of people.
    — Eloy Geenjaar, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • There’s a weird, unexplained detail where the doctors sometimes wear white lab coats over their scrubs, then take them off to do procedures, and then put them back on.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Mush balls are a weird weather phenomenon on Jupiter that astronomers first pieced together (also from Juno data) a few years ago.
    — Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of weird

Browse Nearby Words

uncommitted
uncommon
uncommonly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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