ab·nor·mal
(ˌ)ab-ˈnȯr-məl 
əb-
: deviating from the normal or average
a person with abnormal [=exceptional] strength
abnormal powers of concentration
often
: unusual in an unwelcome or problematic way
abnormal behavior
abnormal test results
: an abnormal person
Synonyms
Examples of abnormal in a Sentence
Adjective
The results of the blood test were abnormal.
a completely abnormal school day, because half of the kids were out sick
Recent Examples on the Web
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2024
So far, scientists can’t explain what’s causing this abnormal trend.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
While officials are largely using the terms spinning and whirling to refer to the abnormal behavior, every fish being impacted has been behaving slightly differently, Crosby said.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
When that scaffolding is abnormal, those bricks can't lay down well – hence the weak bones.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Authorities advised local primary schools to tell students not to approach any cats that appeared ill or abnormal, according to Nippon TV News.
—Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
Coral bleaching occurs as a result of abnormal conditions, such as when ocean temperatures are unusually warm or cold, or when ocean water is more acidic than normal.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024
Another mammogram right before her 40th birthday in May 2023 came back abnormal, leading to a biopsy.
—Kylie Gilbert, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024
Since the start of the year, abnormal heat propelled the cherry trees to an early bloom.
—Harry Stevens, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
Terry Blain Special To The Star Tribune, Star Tribune, 5 Aug. 2020
Welcome to the new abnormal.
—Seth Borenstein, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Dec. 2022
There's only a new abnormal.
—Faye Flam, Star Tribune, 2 Feb. 2021
Primed for speed and for the social distancing of the new abnormal, Toro Coffee does its thing exclusively at the drive-thru, with a window on each side of this white box building near Rackspace on the Northeast Side.
—Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Jan. 2021
Several in the Santiam district spoke to The Oregonian/OregonLive about what’s become a catchphrase of the double bind -- the new abnormal.
—oregonlive, 20 Oct. 2020
The abnormal of 2020 continued through this game as lightning delayed the game by more than half an hour late in the third quarter, and with 3:52 remaining in the game, half of the stadium's lighting went out.
—al, 22 Aug. 2020
Welcome to the Charles Schwab Challenge and the PGA Tour’s new abnormal.
—Dallas News, 12 June 2020
Adjective
Advertisement Doc talk Myasthenia — an abnormal weakness in a muscle or group of muscles.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2024
So far, scientists can’t explain what’s causing this abnormal trend.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
While officials are largely using the terms spinning and whirling to refer to the abnormal behavior, every fish being impacted has been behaving slightly differently, Crosby said.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
When that scaffolding is abnormal, those bricks can't lay down well – hence the weak bones.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Authorities advised local primary schools to tell students not to approach any cats that appeared ill or abnormal, according to Nippon TV News.
—Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
Coral bleaching occurs as a result of abnormal conditions, such as when ocean temperatures are unusually warm or cold, or when ocean water is more acidic than normal.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024
Another mammogram right before her 40th birthday in May 2023 came back abnormal, leading to a biopsy.
—Kylie Gilbert, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024
Since the start of the year, abnormal heat propelled the cherry trees to an early bloom.
—Harry Stevens, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
Noun
Being there on Tuesday felt like the new abnormal.
—Terry Blain Special To The Star Tribune, Star Tribune, 5 Aug. 2020
Welcome to the new abnormal.
—Seth Borenstein, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Dec. 2022
There's only a new abnormal.
—Faye Flam, Star Tribune, 2 Feb. 2021
Primed for speed and for the social distancing of the new abnormal, Toro Coffee does its thing exclusively at the drive-thru, with a window on each side of this white box building near Rackspace on the Northeast Side.
—Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Jan. 2021
Several in the Santiam district spoke to The Oregonian/OregonLive about what’s become a catchphrase of the double bind -- the new abnormal.
—oregonlive, 20 Oct. 2020
The abnormal of 2020 continued through this game as lightning delayed the game by more than half an hour late in the third quarter, and with 3:52 remaining in the game, half of the stadium's lighting went out.
—al, 22 Aug. 2020
Welcome to the Charles Schwab Challenge and the PGA Tour’s new abnormal.
—Dallas News, 12 June 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abnormal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near abnormal
Cite this Entry
“Abnormal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abnormal. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
abnormal
1 of 2 adjective
ab·nor·mal
(ˈ)ab-ˈnȯr-məl
: deviating from the normal, average, or expected
abnormal development
results of the Pap smear were abnormal
abnormal actions departing from accepted standards of social behavior
abnormal
2 of 2 noun
: an abnormal person
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