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Synonyms

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
unprecedented British  
/ ʌnˈprɛsɪˌdɛntɪd /

adjective

  1. having no precedent; unparalleled

"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

Other Word Forms

  • unprecedentedly adverb
  • unprecedentedness noun

Etymology

Origin of unprecedented

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Carlos Alcaraz swept past Novak Djokovic to win his first Australian Open on Sunday and become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, denying the Serbian great an unprecedented 25th major.

From Barron's

“The rate of increase in the price of memory is unprecedented,” said Mike Howard, an analyst for research firm TechInsights.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sellenriek said he is seeing an unprecedented rush of clients trying to lock in contracts early, before wages rise even further.

From The Wall Street Journal

It would be unusual, but not unprecedented, for him to remain.

From MarketWatch

It would be unusual, but not unprecedented, for him to remain.

From MarketWatch

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.