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 But, dramatically, a single point covered the top four in Derby’s 1972 title, and Clough had grown up in a post-war era when close finishes were not uncommon. —Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 But when a name is uncommon, that power can diminish, and even the smallest of people can feel violated. —Leslie D. Rose, Parents, 22 Apr. 2025 King Family Vineyards European influence is not uncommon in Virginia. —Per and Britt Karlsson, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 And those uncommon detainees are bringing new attention to the often-harsh U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention system, where people can be held without charge indefinitely, sometimes in shocking conditions, or abruptly removed from the country. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 12 Apr. 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
  • Nearly a hundred shiny black calves are frolicking in the pastures, including twin bulls (birthweight of 72 pounds each) whose mother is completely unruffled by this unusual occurrence and its maternal responsibilities.
    — Susan Koch, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2025
  • That’s not unusual, for people to send spritzes, but then the manager came out with a gift bag.
    — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Ava has severe cognitive impairment and a rare form of epilepsy.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The floors were constructed with longleaf pine, rare timber harvested from virgin forests that once flourished in East Texas.
    — Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of rare
Adjective
  • One minor injury was reported in the extraordinary mishap.
    — Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Australia is home to an extraordinary share of Earth’s biodiversity.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • And the misfortune is in our participation in that strange loop.
    — Akilah Sailers, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The wish is revealing—strange and sad, and haunting in ways the biography cannot quite accommodate.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • His answer, given the exceptional political and economic turmoil in Canada, was a bit surprising.
    — Ian Austen, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The secret to an exceptional Amatriciana lies in selecting impeccable guanciale Amatriciano—with its perfect balance of tender meat and luxurious fat—creating the foundation upon which this masterpiece is built.
    — Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • What’s funny about that is that Alexander appears to have some Leonard Williams to his game.
    — Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Not lying and not funny, but not to be ignored either.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • Hepworth has a unique advantage because of his background.
    — Kody Boye, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • How To Make Egg Gravy Want to try this unique recipe at home?
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • On the other hand, this three-month gap is a little weird.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • It’s been a weird year for some of the league’s best closers.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 28 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 7 May. 2025.

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