Definition of unnaturalnext
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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 What people fail to realize, Harding said, is that the office is an investigative body that plays a role in uncovering the cause of unnatural deaths and also protecting the public. Shannon Tyler march 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026 The film is fiercely feminist, a little punk, more than a bit surreal, leaning much heavier on absurdist romance than horror and, ultimately, an unnatural force of nature. Mark Meszoros, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026 Nothing is forced or unnatural. José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026 When forty children remained quiet for an extended period, the world took on an eerie quality—natural or unnatural, who could say, but glorious all the same. Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unnatural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnatural
Adjective
  • The beginning of a new month signaled the end of abnormal March weather.
    Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • This month, the zoo announced Tina was suffering from an infection and abnormal buildup of fluid in her uterus.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Caissie was a late addition to Friday's lineup after first baseman Chris Morel was scratched because of a strained oblique.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Caissie was a late addition to Friday’s lineup after first baseman Chris Morel was scratched because of a strained oblique.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Lebohang Morake — the Grammy-winning South African composer behind the film’s opening Zulu vocals — filed a federal civil complaint in California on March 16 against the comedian, Learnmore Jonasi, alleging that the translation is false and damaging to his life’s work.
    Joe Kottke, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Rebollo, a 58-year-old Chula Vista resident, pleaded guilty in December in San Diego federal court to one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of filing a false tax return and one count related to Social Security fraud.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In his new mock draft, Miller has the Bills picking up a key weapon.
    Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • In addition to the original trunk and items on display, the Center for Sacramento History and the history museum created a mock trunk inspired by the original for school programs throughout the region.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • And Hammond is roughly the same distance from downtown Chicago as Arlington Heights; whichever direction the team moves, leaving windswept Soldier Field for the artificial environment of a dome means abandoning some of the proud misery that defines Bears football.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • An important aspect is the achievement of physiological pressure levels since the artificial placenta has to present a low resistance, a few tens of mmHg, similar to the natural placenta (typically below 70 mmHg·min·L^–1).
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Form Insoles combine mechanical arch support with a neuro-stimulating texture, which is proven to reduce foot fatigue and arch pain by increasing overall foot awareness and foot posture.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Until the economies of scale kicked in that would shove mechanical movements into near oblivion within a decade, quartz watches were priced well at the luxury end of the market.
    David Szondy March 28, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • While people sometimes express this view in jest, others believe the fake environment borders on a cultural abomination.
    Adam Kadlac, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
  • With the Heat’s social media team posting a video of the dunks, Jakucionis joked that the video is fake.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That term encompasses exaggerated, subjective assertions of optimism that are not intended to be taken as factual, are too general to cause a reasonable investor to rely upon them and are not actionable in securities law.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • But reports of the death of old-fashioned books were greatly exaggerated.
    Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Unnatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnatural. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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