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

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. 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 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

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

adjective

preposition

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of unlike

Examples from the Web for unlike

British Dictionary definitions for unlike

unlike

adjective

preposition

Word Origin and History for unlike

unlike