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

The speed and scale of Zach Bryan’s meteoric rise are unprecedented.

From The Wall Street Journal

He added that the committee had taken an "unprecedented" step to recall Hinton to Parliament.

From BBC

Flights had to be diverted to neighbouring countries with thousands of travellers hit after the "unprecedented" technical malfunction on January 4, which baffled experts.

From Barron's

Powell has received the support also of former Federal Reserve chiefs, who on Monday sharply criticised the criminal probe, calling it an "unprecedented attempt" to undermine the central bank's independence.

From Barron's

It was hardly the reaction analysts and investors expected from the unprecedented attack on the independence of the world’s most important central bank.

From Barron's

Related Words

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