unknown

adjective

ˌən-ˈnōn How to pronounce unknown (audio)
Definition of unknownnext
1
as in unfamiliar
happening or existing without one's knowledge unknown to me was the fact that while I was out, my family was hurriedly preparing a surprise birthday party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in novel
not known or experienced before becoming a father brought unknown joy to his life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obscure
not widely known looking for a relatively unknown singer to record the song

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 unknown As diverse disciplines explore unknown territories, we are reminded how vast the unknown remains. — News Desk, Artforum, 25 Aug. 2026 Left back Sergio Reguilon and center back Gonzalo Lujan left the Toronto game with injuries over the weekend and their status for the next game is unknown. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 Once on the first floor, state police found that this area of the home was also cluttered with various things as well as large black garbage bags filled with unknown items, the search warrant said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 The listing also notes while the odometer shows 3,800 miles, the vehicle’s true mileage is unknown. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unknown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknown
  1. unfamiliar
  2. novel
  3. obscure
  4. unbeknownst
  5. strange
  6. unrecognized
  7. unprecedented
  8. new
Adjective
  • And yet, to those who are unfamiliar with its inner workings, the pageant world might appear shrouded in mystery.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Look for unfamiliar accounts or other signs that your information may have been misused.
    — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfamiliar
Adjective
  • There was nothing particularly novel about the show’s premise, but the scripts were refreshingly dense with jokes, prioritizing laughs over contrived drama or seasonlong relationship arcs.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Expect to discover many novel flavors of Brazil—butiá, cajú, cumaru—worked into the menu in unique ways.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of novel
Adjective
  • Given most late-summer midterm-election-year weakness has been more than recovered right afterward, the proper course of action now becomes even more obscure.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In many cases, the robot tail wags the living dog by tricking it—tricking us—into caring about obscure metrics, then gamifying the process of improving them.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • However, unbeknownst to the girls, the men left the original villa setting and snuck away to Casa Amor, a second filming location where six bombshells in sexy costumes were waiting to steal guys' hearts.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • That same night, unbeknownst to friends and family, the couple spontaneously wed in a courthouse wedding.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Definition of unbeknownst
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
  • Postpartum depression, affecting 1 in 7 women, often presents as intrusive thoughts, rage, or numbness, not just sadness, leading to unrecognized symptoms.
    — John Samuels, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Check for errors and old or unrecognized information and investigate each instance.
    — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of unrecognized
Adjective
  • In the interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer, Huang argued those arrangements reflect the unprecedented amount of capital required to build frontier AI companies.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Never out of print, continually adapted to stage and screen, in the 1980s Anne was enjoying a surge in popularity unprecedented even in its own successful history.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of unprecedented
Adjective
  • Now is a great time to pick up a new pair of sneakers for fall while prices are low.
    — Anna Traver, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
  • With the team entering a new era with a new coaching staff, Baltimore made some moves that were a bit atypical on roster cutdown day.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of new

Browse Nearby Words

unknowledgeable
unknown
unlace
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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