otherness

noun

oth·​er·​ness ˈə-t͟hər-nəs How to pronounce otherness (audio)
Synonyms of othernessnext
1
: the quality or state of being other or different
2
: something that is other or different

Synonyms

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Examples of otherness in a Sentence

As an American growing up in Africa, I always felt a sense of otherness. the otherness of their small religious community
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Often traveling far from her neighborhood to play with orchestras, she was reminded of her distinct otherness at each rehearsal. — Pauleanna Reid, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 Gone is the psychosexual otherness of her earlier work and any vestige of speaking to institutional power. — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 14 June 2024 Elphaba is able to repurpose her otherness for a good cause. — Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 When everyone’s tossed together into the big salad of marginalization, otherness is made banal and abstract. — Dean Kissick, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for otherness

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of otherness was in 1587

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otherness
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Cite this Entry

“Otherness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/otherness. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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