unprecedented
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unprecedented
So extraordinary or extreme that there is no earlier example or comparison for it; unmatched, unique.
Der Erfolg des Films war beispiellos und brach alle Kassenrekorde.
The film's success was unprecedented and broke all box office records.
The word is made up of 'Beispiel' (example) and the ending '-los' (-less). The ending '-los' means 'without', similar to '-less' in English. 'Beispiellos' (unprecedented) therefore literally means 'without example'.
Die Hilfsbereitschaft der Menschen nach der Katastrophe war beispiellos.
People's willingness to help after the disaster was unprecedented.
'Beispiellos' (unprecedented) is a strong and expressive word. It is used to emphasize the extreme uniqueness of something, whether positive or negative. It is found more often in written language than in everyday conversation.
Die Geschwindigkeit des technologischen Wandels ist in der Menschheitsgeschichte beispiellos.
The speed of technological change is unprecedented in human history.
The adjective often describes nouns that have a large scale or dimension. Typical combinations are 'ein beispielloser Erfolg' (an unprecedented success), 'eine beispiellose Krise' (an unprecedented crisis), 'ein beispielloser Anstieg' (an unprecedented increase), or 'eine beispiellose Karriere' (an unprecedented career).
Die Dürre führte zu einer beispiellosen Wasserknappheit in der Region.
The drought led to an unprecedented water shortage in the region.
unique
Both words describe something extraordinary with no suitable comparison. „Einzigartig“ highlights the special nature of the event itself, while „beispiellos“ more strongly says that there has been no previous example of it. Use „beispiellos“ when the lack of a historical comparison is important; otherwise, „einzigartig“ is usually the more general choice.
Die schnelle Hilfe nach dem Hochwasser war in unserer Stadt beispiellos.
The rapid assistance after the flooding was unprecedented in our city.
Die Verbindung von Musik und Bildern machte die Veranstaltung einzigartig.
The combination of music and images made the event unique.
