be unlike

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be unlike" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something is different from or not similar to something else. Example: "Her approach to the problem was unlike any I had seen before." Alternative expressions include "dissimilar to" and "not similar to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It would not be unlike her.

The New Yorker

That would be unlike Lincoln.

The New York Times - Magazine

It wouldn't be unlike him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Let us hope that we can be unlike Israel.

The New York Times

It appears to be unlike anything else the sculptor did.

The Guardian - Books

"It would not be unlike moving an historic house," she said.

The New York Times

Indeed, "Seussical" strives to be unlike "The Lion King" everywhere but at the box office.

The New York Times

It will be unlike anything you've ever done — and not necessarily in a good way.

The New York Times

It would be unlike Cashman to retain them with multiyear deals.

The New York Times

"We think we are and ought to be unlike other countries".

The New York Times

"It would be unlike Mr Bush to dismiss him right now when he's under fire.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the negative construction 'would not be unlike' to describe something that is actually characteristic of a person in a nuanced, slightly indirect way.

Common error

Ensure you do not use "be unlike" when you mean 'be unliked'. The former describes a lack of similarity, while the latter refers to a lack of popularity or a removed social media endorsement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be unlike" functions as a comparative predicate where the copular verb 'be' links a subject to a state of dissimilarity. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is often used to highlight that a particular action or quality is not representative of a person's typical character or is unique in its field.

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be unlike" is a robust and highly reliable linguistic tool according to Ludwig AI. It is verified by hundreds of examples in prestigious publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian. Whether you are describing a unique technological innovation or an unexpected personality trait, "be unlike" provides a sophisticated way to denote dissimilarity. Its flexibility across neutral and professional registers makes it a safer and more concise choice than many of its wordier counterparts. Writers should feel confident using it to add precision to their comparative descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not be like

A more colloquial and direct way to express the same sentiment.

differ from

Uses a standard verb instead of a copular construction to show variance.

be dissimilar to

A more formal and clinical alternative often used in academic or technical reporting.

be distinct from

Emphasizes that there is a clear, sharp separation between the items being compared.

stand apart from

Adds a figurative sense of excellence or noticeable difference.

be out of character for

Perfectly replaces the phrase when describing unexpected human behavior.

contrast with

Focuses on the visible or functional differences between two compared subjects.

be a departure from

Specifically used when a new action or item breaks from a previous pattern.

be divergent from

Formal term used when two things move in different directions or follow different logic.

bear no resemblance to

A stronger phrase suggesting that there are no shared characteristics at all.

FAQs

How do I use "be unlike" in a sentence?

You can use it to show contrast, such as: 'The new model will "be unlike" anything the market has seen before.' It usually precedes the noun it is being compared to.

What is the difference between "be unlike" and "be different from"?

While similar, "be unlike" often sounds more concise and is frequently used to describe personal character traits, whereas "be different from" is more generic and descriptive of physical or abstract properties.

Is it correct to say "it would be unlike him"?

Yes, this is a very common idiomatic use. It means that a certain behavior is not typical for that person. You could also say he would "act out of character".

Can I use "be dissimilar to" instead of "be unlike"?

Yes, you can use "be dissimilar to" in formal or scientific contexts, but it may sound overly stiff in casual or journalistic writing.