unlike

[ uhn-lahyk ]

/ ʌnˈlaɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unlike ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

different, dissimilar, or unequal; not alike: They contributed unlike sums to charity.

preposition

dissimilar to; different from: She is unlike my sister in many ways.

not typical or characteristic of: It is unlike her to enjoy herself so much.

noun

a person or thing differing from another or others.

Nearby words

unlessoned, unlettered, unlevel, unlicensed, unlicked, unlike, unlikelihood, unlikely, unlimber, unlimited, unlined

Origin of unlike

First recorded in 1150–1200, unlike is from the Middle English word unlik. See un-¹, like¹

Related forms

un·like·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unlike

Unlike the Soviet Union at a certain period in history, the Russian economy does not hold a candle to that of the United States.
Oliver Stone’s Latest Dictator Suckup|James Kirchick|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Unlike former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Huckabee is not immediately forming an exploratory committee.
Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen?|Lloyd Green|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Unlike the characters he plays, men who came from nowhere and, as he himself puts it, “go home to nobody.”
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Ironically, unlike Dukakis and apparently Paul, Bill Clinton and Al Gore had each “read the memo” back in the day.
GOP Won’t Forgive Rand for Cop Critique|Lloyd Green|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Unlike any other show, no relationship is idealized above any other.
What On Earth Is ‘The Affair’ About? Season One’s Baffling Finale|Tim Teeman|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The undemonstrativeness of the act, so unlike her usual volcanic energy, touched him out of prudence.
The Californians|Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton
The details are not unlike those of other examples previously given.
Ancient art of the province of Chiriqui, Colombia|William Henry Holmes
"I may be more fit by that time," was my thought, and it was probably not unlike some of Mr. Rampant's self-communings.
A Great Emergency and Other Tales|Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing
Unlike them they held no dazzling sapphire brilliancies; they were ochreous, suffused with raging vermilion.
The Metal Monster|A. Merritt
What is there, indeed, unlike truth in that wonderful fiction?
Discovery of Witches|Thomas Potts

British Dictionary definitions for unlike

unlike

/ (ʌnˈlaɪk) /

adjective

not alike; dissimilar or unequal; different

archaic unlikely

preposition

not like; not typical ofunlike his father, he lacks intelligence

Derived Forms

unlikeness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

unlike

adjective

preposition

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of unlike

Related forms

Examples from the Web for unlike

British Dictionary definitions for unlike

unlike

adjective

preposition

Derived Forms