unlike

[ uhn-lahyk ]

adjective

1. different, dissimilar, or unequal; not alike:

   They contributed unlike sums to charity.

preposition

1. dissimilar to; different from:

   She is unlike my sister in many ways.

2. not typical or characteristic of:

   It is unlike her to enjoy herself so much.

noun

1. a person or thing differing from another or others.

unlike

/ ʌnˈlaɪk /

adjective

1. not alike; dissimilar or unequal; different
2. archaic.
   unlikely

preposition

1. not like; not typical of

   unlike his father, he lacks intelligence

Derived Forms

• unˈlikeness, noun

Other Words From

• un·likeness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unlike¹

First recorded in 1150–1200, unlike is from the Middle English word unlik. See un- ¹, like ¹

Example Sentences

Television exploits our memory gaps, willful or unintended, by churning out period action dramas centered on history’s giant conflicts, most related to World War II. Unlike that endlessly commodified conflict, these chapters in Ireland’s history don’t turn up in most history teaching.

From Salon

A kind of subconcern underneath that was that these loyalists, unlike so many of the advisers Trump kept around him during that initial term, could be hardworking and knowledgeable about the operations of government, enabling him to actually, successfully carry out his most impulsive and punitive schemes: having enemies arrested, shutting down CNN because Jake Tapper made him mad, overthrowing the government because he doesn’t like the outcome of an election, that sort of thing.

From Slate

Unlike big city universities, there are no nearby institutions to collaborate with, so remaining financially sustainable is crucial, especially for the many local students who live at home.

From BBC

Unlike those pop superstars’ films, though, this one you can see only at the place where the band filmed it — at Sphere, that is, where “V-U2” plays on that massive wraparound screen on nights when the Eagles aren’t there for their residency.

From Los Angeles Times

But I never feared for my life from Trump or his staff, some of whom were highly professional and tried against all odds to get information to the press corps — unlike the Biden administration, which routinely ignored us and paid a high price for doing so.

From Salon