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

Amazon MGM Studios paid an unprecedented $40 million for distribution rights, and after a theatrical release the movie will be streamed online.

From The Wall Street Journal

Being sold after a championship, however, would be unprecedented in the NFL’s recent memory.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fairbanks noted more opportunities for upside, “not surprisingly driven by the demand and pricing implications” of the unprecedented AI data-center buildout.

From MarketWatch

Fairbanks noted more opportunities for upside, “not surprisingly driven by the demand and pricing implications” of the unprecedented AI data-center buildout.

From MarketWatch

At the same time, they are also imagining what independent climate science research would look like after having carried an unprecedented burden.

From Salon

Related Words

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