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

“There was a lot that changed in a pretty unprecedented manner right at that time,” Lorizio said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Gen. Rob Bonta, the state’s top law enforcement official, has sharply criticized the probe, which he called “unprecedented in both scope and scale.”

From Los Angeles Times

We live in a world where BBC content - all content - is under an unprecedented level of scrutiny.

From BBC

But is it really unprecedented for a handful of stocks to dominate the market and produce the highest returns?

From The Wall Street Journal

Gen. Rob Bonta, who said in a statement Friday that it is “unprecedented in both scope and scale” and appears “not to be based on facts or evidence.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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