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

However, 2020 has turned out to be a year unlike any other, rendering most predictions irrelevant.

From Search Engine Land

He confirmed that unlike the old Penguin or Panda updates, where you had to wait for Google to push out a new update, core updates do not operate like this.

From Search Engine Land

Over the past four seasons, the Chicago guard has enjoyed a run of passing prowess unlike any the WNBA has ever seen.

From FiveThirtyEight

This means that unlike other types of renewable energy, Yao says, there’s no long-term waste to pollute the environment.

From Science News For Students

Notably, unlike Netflix’s paid subscription, a 30-second ad plays before each title.

From Fortune

Unlike the Soviet Union at a certain period in history, the Russian economy does not hold a candle to that of the United States.

From The Daily Beast

Unlike former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Huckabee is not immediately forming an exploratory committee.

From The Daily Beast

Unlike the characters he plays, men who came from nowhere and, as he himself puts it, “go home to nobody.”

From The Daily Beast

But quite unlike the schmuck, and this is the fun part, they never run up the white flag; indeed quite the opposite.

From The Daily Beast

Ironically, unlike Dukakis and apparently Paul, Bill Clinton and Al Gore had each “read the memo” back in the day.

From The Daily Beast

And furthermore, I imagine something else about this—quite unlike the old Bible—I imagine all of it periodically revised.

From Project Gutenberg

The pipe has a modern look and is altogether unlike those found by the English in use among the Indians in Virginia.

From Project Gutenberg

Her manner amazed him; it was so unlike the aspect of fair interpretation, with which she usually discussed a dubious subject.

From Project Gutenberg

Learning a series of words by heart by thinking of the Relations between them is wholly unlike learning it by rote.

From Project Gutenberg

Orlean was regarded as a fairly attractive woman; but her chin, unlike that of the one before him, was inclined to retreat.

From Project Gutenberg