anomalous

adjective

anom·​a·​lous ə-ˈnä-mə-ləs How to pronounce anomalous (audio)
1
: inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected : irregular, unusual
Researchers could not explain the anomalous test results.
2
a
: of uncertain nature or classification
an anomalous figure in the world of politics
b
: marked by incongruity or contradiction : paradoxical
anomalously adverb
anomalousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for anomalous

irregular, anomalous, unnatural mean not conforming to rule, law, or custom.

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

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

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

Examples of anomalous in a Sentence

Researchers could not explain the anomalous test results. that was an anomalous year for the housing industry, so the number of starts is anything but typical
Recent Examples on the Web The Pentagon released a report Friday outlining the U.S. government's historical record of UAP, or unidentified anomalous phenomena, the formal name for objects that had previously been known as UFOs. CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 In our previous ransomware example, a foundation model wouldn’t need to have ever seen Clop ransomware–or any ransomware for that matter–to pick up on anomalous, suspicious behavior. Sridhar Muppidi, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024 While the power grid may notice anomalous activity on high-voltage transmission lines, they are equipped to handle a slight disruption, Dahl added. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2024 At the beginning of the Biden administration, intelligence agencies began a push to determine the causes of the anomalous health incidents, the government’s term for Havana syndrome. Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024 While meetings between voting members of the commission are prohibited under Florida law, the Miami mayor has no vote — only a veto — giving Suarez the anomalous freedom to set an agenda far from the public eye. Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2024 The oscillation is an eastward-moving disturbance of rain, wind and pressure that often manifests as anomalous rainfall. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2023 The Pentagon's lack of a coordinated approach to track and report unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs, poses potential risks to U.S. national security, according to an unclassified summary of a report prepared by the Defense Department's inspector general. Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2024 The blue area over the northeast represents unusually low heights which are created when anomalous cold air at upper levels of the atmosphere is present. Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anomalous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin anōmalus "irregular (of grammatical paradigms), unequal in size (of planets)" (borrowed from Greek anṓmalos "not uniform, unequal, inconsistent, irregular [in grammar]," from an- an- + homalόs "even, uniform, equal, like") + -ous — more at similar

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anomalous was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near anomalous

Cite this Entry

“Anomalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anomalous. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

anomalous

adjective
anom·​a·​lous ə-ˈnäm-ə-ləs How to pronounce anomalous (audio)
: not following a general rule or method : irregular, unusual
anomalously adverb
anomalousness noun

Medical Definition

anomalous

adjective
anom·​a·​lous ə-ˈnäm-ə-ləs How to pronounce anomalous (audio)
: deviating from normal
anomalous development
anomalous pulmonary venous drainagePhysicians' Current Procedural Terminology
specifically : having abnormal vision with respect to a particular color but not color-blind
she was almost red anomalous Nature

More from Merriam-Webster on anomalous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!