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Synonym Chooser

How is the word unnatural distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words anomalous and irregular are common synonyms of unnatural. While all three words mean "not conforming to rule, law, or custom," unnatural suggests what is contrary to nature or to principles or standards felt to be essential to the well-being of civilized society.

prisoners treated with unnatural cruelty

When could anomalous be used to replace unnatural?

The meanings of anomalous and unnatural largely overlap; however, anomalous implies not conforming to what might be expected because of the class or type to which it belongs or the laws that govern its existence.

her drive made her an anomalous figure in a sleepy organization

When is irregular a more appropriate choice than unnatural?

The words irregular and unnatural are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, irregular implies not conforming to a law or regulation imposed for the sake of uniformity in method, practice, or conduct.

concerned about his irregular behavior

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unnatural In the beginning, planning when to stress out may feel unnatural and, yes, worries will still unexpectedly pop into your mind. Julia Ries, SELF, 26 Mar. 2025 Drawn in neon lights, the sculpture’s glaringly unnatural medium reinforces the artificiality of the cut flower market. Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 25 Mar. 2025 But a sudden, unnatural sheen could indicate hormonal changes, skin infections, or even cancer. Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025 To such animals, friendship is utterly unnatural, entirely a product of will. Ann Hulbert, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unnatural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnatural
Adjective
  • Symptoms of the condition can include shortness of breath, a sudden drop in blood pressure, an abnormal heart rate, and bleeding from the uterus, C-section, or IV sites.
    Korin Miller, SELF, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Tau tangles are also implicated in other neurological diseases such as frontal lobe dementia, or FTD, and Lewy body dementia in which abnormal clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein accumulate in the brain’s neurons.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While petty revenge can be amusing—and satisfying in the moment—Best suggested a different approach to dealing with strained neighbor relationships.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Throughout the series, the strained relationship between father and son highlights the repercussions of family communication breakdowns.
    Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kim Soo Hyun also claimed that many text messages that had been distributed online, purportedly between him and Kim Sae-ron, were false.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Nothing progressive or compassionate about continuing that false hope which attracts people to make those journeys.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In mock drafts, Hampton is often mocked to the early twenties or even late twenties to a team like the Washington Commanders.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Afterward, a mock court-martial was held, complete with the sentencing and execution of a private accused of desertion.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Plus, the Star Theatre will be decorated with thousands of candles and artificial flowers.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
  • But she’s soon embroiled in a case: A barrel containing the skeleton of a child surfaces from the artificial lake, at the bottom of which lies the submerged old village.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The mix of Greek mythology, robots and mechanical flying scorpions is a little all over the place, but my son was plenty entertained by Scooby and Shaggy’s ability to act like bumbling fools one minute and brave heroes the next.
    Dina Gachman, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These platforms sell complete phishing kits—web hosting, SMS delivery systems, fake landing pages, encryption tools—to other cybercriminals who want to run scams at scale.
    Alex Vakulov, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Nancy Marks, Santos’ former campaign treasurer, admitted to filing bogus campaign finance reports filled with fake donors and a fake $500,000 personal loan from Santos.
    Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The exaggerated, puppet-like character designs contribute to the game's mythic, storybook quality.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
  • But it was also used to stop other individuals’ display behaviors—dramatic, exaggerated actions or gestures bonobos perform to assert dominance or attract attention.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unnatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnatural. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unnatural

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