1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary
even among the prize-winning roses, this one is a rare beauty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exquisite
having qualities that appeal to a refined taste
rare specialty wools, such as cashmere, prized for their fineness, lightness and exceptional warmth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in occasional
not often occurring or repeated
the French pronunciation of the family's name is rare, except in Louisiana
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced
"Such good manners are rare these days," remarked Mrs. Denby, as the young man let her go ahead of him in line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rare
Replacing Ryan Nembhard at point guard is Braeden Smith, the 2024 Patriot League Player of the Year who was the rare transfer willing to actually sit out a year, learning the Gonzaga way as Nembhard’s understudy.
—
Cj Moore, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Sip rare rums at Dunn’s Rum Club in Jamaica
Courtesy of Sandals Resorts
Every trip deserves a good toast, and at Sandals Dunn’s River, the Rum Club knows precisely how to pour it.
—Sandals Resorts, AFAR Media, 2 June 2025
Zaslav sidesteps the rare direct questions on pay, like at a NYC Dealbook Summit in the fall of 2023.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 May 2025
Trade shows, in particular, are one of the rare arenas where the playing field is level.
—Sanjay Ghare, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rare
Cj Moore, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Sip rare rums at Dunn’s Rum Club in Jamaica
Courtesy of Sandals Resorts
Every trip deserves a good toast, and at Sandals Dunn’s River, the Rum Club knows precisely how to pour it.
—Sandals Resorts, AFAR Media, 2 June 2025
Zaslav sidesteps the rare direct questions on pay, like at a NYC Dealbook Summit in the fall of 2023.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 May 2025
Trade shows, in particular, are one of the rare arenas where the playing field is level.
—Sanjay Ghare, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rare
Adjective
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Those events may have informed the decision by Merseyside Police, which also responded to the Southport attacks, to quickly release the information that the suspect was White – an unusual step in the early hours of an investigation.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
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In an unusual step earlier this month, five former directors of the National Weather Service signed an open letter warning that the Trump administration’s cuts to the weather service and its parent agency NOAA may endanger lives.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Cannes Film Festival is also where these categories flourish in visibility, especially the high jewelry, which has used the high-profile event to promote their exquisite and expensive creations on the Red Carpet.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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And Diane de Poitiers, reputed to be the most beautiful woman in 16th-century France, drank gold to preserve her exquisite looks, the Botox of the Renaissance.—
Sean Kingsley,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
While a few breeds, such as the Turkish Van, are known to enjoy the occasional swim, the average house cat is famously water-averse.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
-
Having the occasional treat or missing a workout is okay.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Acqui-hires are not uncommon in a competitive tech hiring environment.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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This is why Daigneault refers to the Thunder as an uncommon group.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
That’s either extreme confidence or extraordinary stupidity, or some combination.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
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Quite simply, the earlier investors participate in this extraordinary country’s transformation, the greater the rewards will be.—
Djasur Djumaev,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
The newest model continues to fuse advanced materials with Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology to create a timepiece that is durable, precise and elegant.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
6 June 2025
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And Just Like That… is, for lack of a more elegant term, so goddamn weird this season.—
Emma Bocchi,
Vogue,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Because to us, the most funny things are right next to the most tragic things.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
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There are enough quotable lines of dialogue in the movie’s first half to remind you why Succession was, pound for pound, one of the most profanely funny shows on TV during its run.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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All of our leathers are carefully selected from the finest tanneries in the world for their exceptional quality and functional capability.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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The site is exceptional: The North Branch of the Chicago River winds through its full length, offering an opportunity to weave parkland through the development.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rare. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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