unprecedented

American  

[uhn-pres-i-den-tid] / ʌnˈprɛs ɪˌdɛn tɪd /

adjective

1. without previous instance; never before known or experienced; unexampled or unparalleled.

   an unprecedented event.

   Synonyms:

   novel , exceptional , extraordinary , unique

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unprecedented British  

/ ʌnˈprɛsɪˌdɛntɪd /

adjective

1. having no precedent; unparalleled

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Other Word Forms

• unprecedentedly adverb
• unprecedentedness noun

Etymology

Origin of unprecedented

First recorded in 1615–25; un- ¹ + precedent + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Sallam continued: "High-resolution CT scans and 3D surface models enabled us to reveal unprecedented anatomical details."

From Science Daily

"The court is facing an unprecedented time with these coercive measures that have been levelled at judges and prosecutors, including one French magistrate," said Darmanin.

From Barron's

The Civil War mobilized unprecedented production, shifting the North toward full industrialization.

From The Wall Street Journal

While political cartoonists have long created derogatory or lampoonish images of elected officials and candidates for public office, the political imagery that can be created by artificial intelligence blurs truth and fiction in unprecedented ways.

From Salon

He describes the unrest in New York as “unprecedented, the worst breakdown in law and order I’ve seen.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bizarre
• extraordinary
• fantastic
• miraculous
• new
• remarkable
• singular
• uncommon
• unheard-of
• unique
• unparalleled
• unrivaled
• unusual