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Definitions

unknown quantity

NOUN
dark horse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
also-ran long shot sleeper underdog
WEAK
hundred-to-one shot improbability little chance little opportunity outside chance outside shot poor bet poor lookout poor possibility poor prognosis poor prospect slim chance small chance stalking horse unexpected winner unknown unlikelihood unlikely winner upsetter

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Humphries, but the veteran is of late something of an unknown quantity.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2025

Is Levi a professional wildcard—some unknown quantity who requires vetting by the president-elect himself, or someone who demands that his every former employer be contacted by the president-elect himself?

From Slate • Jan. 9, 2025

But when he quit, that number jumped to 9%, reflecting the fact that Harris was an unknown quantity to many Americans.

From Salon • Oct. 29, 2024

But Mr. Winnett remains an unknown quantity, both in elite American media circles and within the newsroom he will soon lead.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2024

Doubleday an unknown quantity, but certainly nothing spectacular.

From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.