unlike

[uhn-lahyk]

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.

Origin of unlike

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

Related formsun·like·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for unlike

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples

Unlike Mlle. Higbee, she has not the father from Chicago nor elsewhere.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
She was not moralizing; at least it was unlike any moralizing that they had ever heard.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
Garson answered with a note of weariness that was unlike him.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
There was something about her eyes not unlike the dog's expression, submissive, but questioning.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
I have one dreary, cold room, as unlike this as two rooms can be.
Quaint Courtships
Various

British Dictionary definitions for unlike

unlike

adjective

not alike; dissimilar or unequal; different
archaic unlikely

preposition

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

Derived Formsunlikeness, 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

Word Origin and History for unlike

adj.

c.1200, "not resembling," from un- (1) "not" + like (adj.). Cf. Old English ungelic, Old Frisian unlik, Old Norse ulikr, Middle Danish ulige.

unlike

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}unlike

Examples from the Web for unlike

Contemporary Examples

Unlike the Soviet Union at a certain period in history, the Russian economy does not hold a candle to that of the United States.

Unlike former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Huckabee is not immediately forming an exploratory committee.

Unlike the characters he plays, men who came from nowhere and, as he himself puts it, “go home to nobody.”

Ironically, unlike Dukakis and apparently Paul, Bill Clinton and Al Gore had each “read the memo” back in the day.

Unlike any other show, no relationship is idealized above any other.

Historical Examples

Unlike Mlle. Higbee, she has not the father from Chicago nor elsewhere.

She was not moralizing; at least it was unlike any moralizing that they had ever heard.

Garson answered with a note of weariness that was unlike him.

There was something about her eyes not unlike the dog's expression, submissive, but questioning.

I have one dreary, cold room, as unlike this as two rooms can be.

unlike

Word Origin and History for unlike

adj.

Origin of unlike