In the C and C++ programming languages, the unary operators take only one argument.
Source: tatoeba (12204211)
Unary
/ˈjuːnəɹi/
Synonyms for "unary" (6 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (2)
Noun(1 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Strong matches (1)
Noun(1 words)
Related words (3)
Adjective(2 words)
single elementsingle-argument
Noun(1 words)
unary numeral system
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: mono, one-operand, one-organism, single element, single-argument.
- Sentence evidence is available for unary, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, opengloss, wordnet.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "unary".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "unary"
Keep "unary" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "unary" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "unary", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "unary" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
9 entriesarityencodingfunctionnumber representation systemnumber systemnumeration systemoperationrepresentationsystem of numeration
More specific
5 entriestally encodingunary functionunary numeralunary operatorunary relation
Collocations
6 entriesunary functionunary minusunary numeralunary operatorunary plusunary relation
Inflections
2 entriesmore unarymost unary
Derivations
2 entriessimilar
1 entriesSample sentences
5 total sentences available.
Her work is a renunciation of the old narrative, a throwing away of the cotton reel, an enunciation of the unary signifier, fort, that is meaningless in itself.
Source: wiktionary
Negation is a unary operation.
Source: wiktionary
Zadeh’s claim is that if the meaning of an expression (X) can be modeling by a fuzzy membership function variable, then the meaning of an expression such as “very X” is simply a membership function over the same variable determined by applying a unary operator to the membership function for X.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 5 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "unary"?
Closest matches include mono, one-operand, one-organism, single element, single-argument.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "unary"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.