unlike
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for unlike, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Preposition — Different from; in contrast to.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use unlike
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English unlic, "unlike, dissimilar," from "un-" + "like."
Full origin of unlike →Frequently asked questions
What does “unlike” mean?
The word “unlike” means different from; in contrast to. In plain terms, different from something, or (as a social-media verb) to undo a "like.".
How do you pronounce “unlike”?
“Unlike” is pronounced uhn-LYK (/ʌnˈlaɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “unlike” in a sentence?
Here is “unlike” used in a sentence: “Unlike her brother, she loves spicy food.”
What part of speech is “unlike”?
Depending on how it is used, “unlike” can be a preposition, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “unlike” come from?
The word “unlike” comes from Old English. From Old English unlic, "unlike, dissimilar," from "un-" + "like.".
Is “unlike” a common word?
“Unlike” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “unlike” have?
“Unlike” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: different from; in contrast to.
What is the difference between unlike and dislike?
They are unrelated despite looking similar. Unlike is a preposition meaning different from or in contrast to, as in 'unlike his brother.' Dislike is a verb or noun meaning to not like something, as in 'I dislike loud music.' Only the spelling of the first syllable connects them.
What is an example of unlike in a sentence?
'Unlike her sister, she enjoys team sports' shows a contrast between two people. Other examples include 'This phone, unlike the old one, is waterproof' and 'It was unlike him to be late.' The word introduces a difference between one thing and another.
What is the opposite of unlike?
The opposite is like, meaning similar to or in the same way as. 'Unlike his father, he is quiet' shows difference; 'like his father, he is quiet' shows similarity. Other opposites include similar to, resembling, and comparable to, depending on the sentence.
Is unlike a preposition or an adjective?
It can be both. As a preposition it means different from, as in 'unlike the others.' As an adjective it means not alike, as in 'the two are quite unlike.' This entry covers the more common prepositional use that draws a contrast between things.