Rare
Rare adjective - Being out of the ordinary.
Usage example: even among the prize-winning roses, this one is a rare beauty
Unusual is a synonym for rare in exceptional topic. In some cases you can use "Unusual" instead an adjective "Rare", when it comes to topics like strange, priceless, better, usual. popular alternative
Unusual
Unusual adjective - Noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced.
Usage example: we found some unusual shells by the high-tide mark while combing the beach
Rare is a synonym for unusual in exceptional topic. You can use "Rare" instead an adjective "Unusual", if it concerns topics such as better, usual, frequency, extraordinary. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
Both words in one sentence
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Weapon damage reaches a limit, and most weapons sold for high prices merely have unusual or rare appearances.
Source: Video Game / Guild Wars - When one of them is supposedly rare or unusual in universe, see Wrong Context Magic.
Source: Our Mages Are Different - The fact Dominik's father owns a gun reinforces this image as gun ownership is rare and unusual in Poland.
Source: Film / Suicide Room
Cite this Source
Unusual and Rare. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 20, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/rare/unusual
Rare & Unusual. N.p., 2016. Web. 20 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/rare/unusual>.
Unusual or Rare. 2016. Accessed July 20, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/rare/unusual.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "rare" and "unusual" have occurred on timeline