unprecedented
/ʌnˈpɹɛsɪdɛntɪd/
Group 22Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Never done or known before GRE
Example in Context
The scale of the humanitarian crisis was unprecedented in the region's modern history, overwhelming organizations that had years of experience responding to emergencies.
Synonyms
first-everunheard-ofgroundbreaking
Etymology
Not having any previous example or occurrence.
- un- (Latin) — not
- precedere (Latin) — to go before
Memory Aid
🚀Sounds like “un-press-ed dent”
When I UN-PRESS the button, it causes an UNPRECEDENTED rocket explosion!
Visual Association
🌍A huge explosion in space that creates new stars, symbolizing something never seen before.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “unprecedented” mean on the GRE?
unprecedented (adjective) means “Never done or known before”. The scale of the humanitarian crisis was unprecedented in the region's modern history, overwhelming organizations that had years of experience responding to emergencies.
How to remember “unprecedented” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “unprecedented” sounds like “un-press-ed dent”. When I UN-PRESS the button, it causes an UNPRECEDENTED rocket explosion!
What are synonyms for “unprecedented”?
Common synonyms: first-ever, unheard-of, groundbreaking.