UNCOMMON Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

uncommon

adjective

ˌən-ˈkä-mən

Definition of uncommon

as in unusual

being out of the ordinary a landscape of uncommon beauty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 But Clancy reported hearing the voice only on the day of the killings, which Heilbrun said was uncommon for these kinds of hallucinations. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 Standing ovations are not uncommon in the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, the $82 million home of La Jolla Music Society. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 Striking up chats with strangers used to be uncommon for Hoadley. — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026 The pool includes a diving board, a feature that has become less uncommon in recent years. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncommon

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommon

Adjective

While his batting order remains unchanged, the team has made an unusual move, relocating Guerrero's locker to a new spot.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Land exchanges are common elsewhere in the federal government, but exchanging National Park Service land for private development access is unusual, NOTUS reported, citing a former park service official.

— Annie Palmer, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

In a rare move, the chipmaker provided a revenue growth outlook for fiscal 2028 that forecast annual sales to increase 70% from the prior year.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Within the Milky Way, astronomers have so far identified roughly 100 stellar stream candidates shed by globular clusters, but finding one around another galaxy is extraordinarily rare.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

One of the most extraordinary musical experiences of my life was recording with her.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Harald’s death was officially announced at an extraordinary Council of State meeting at Norway’s Royal Palace on Friday, as the full title of the new King was formally presented.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

Some are quieter this year, some are almost ridiculous, but all of them share a strange sense of purpose.

— Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
His attempt to discover what he is supposed to be doing propels him through a succession of increasingly strange encounters, as his search for purpose becomes entangled with his desire for love, friendship and some kind of place in the world.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of strange

Adjective

Sharif said Noreen displayed exceptional courage and devotion to duty by risking her life to save the newborn moments before the nursery burned down.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Founders who recently had one exceptional year sometimes assume that year represents their new baseline, when a buyer will more likely average the last three years, or discount the outlier entirely.

— Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Adjective

The end result is Murder Bites, my funny, quirky mystery that takes place in a small town where everyone is obsessed with their tiny designer dogs.

— Mimi Montgomery, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
What is sort of funny is imagining how immersion in the city’s cultural scene fits into Vanderbilt’s broader ambitions.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of funny

Adjective

Under the rule, states must supply the USPS with lists of mail ballot recipients, and all outbound and return ballot envelopes must bear unique barcodes.

— Andrew Chung, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
The extreme environment has long given researchers a unique perspective on what makes plants grow, insight that would be hard to obtain elsewhere.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
There’s a comically weird dinner with Kel’s ex, Sabrina (a scintillatingly eccentric Jasmin Savoy Brown).

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of weird

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uncommitted

uncommon

uncommonly

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“Uncommon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommon. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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