UNNATURAL Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

unnatural

adjective

ˌən-ˈna-chə-rəl

Definition of unnatural

as in abnormal

departing from some accepted standard of what is normal the documentary evinces an unnatural obsession with the gruesome details of the disaster

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as in strained

lacking in natural or spontaneous quality just before the debate, the candidates flashed unnatural smiles for the cameras

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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 While there are certain products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. — Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 13 June 2026 The problem is, mainstream science and society have been slow to move away from the narrative that all animals copulate only for reproduction, any same-sex activity is purely anomalous (and unnatural), and every species is male-dominated. — Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026 Learning that these behaviors not only exist, but are prevalent in the animal kingdom, Page says, helps debunk what remains a widespread belief among certain humans that homosexuality and transgenderism are unnatural and aberrant. — Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 2026 In a nearby tent was Zuhoor Musa Abdul Rahman, a 30-year-old housewife who recounted with unnatural calm the horrors that spurred her to flee El Fasher, a city some 300 miles east of Obeid. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for unnatural

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnatural

Adjective

In this context, when screening healthy asymptomatic people who aren’t at high risk, the chance at an ideal screening result of identifying abnormal tissue that can be eliminated is very low.

— Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
The abnormal heat has been driven by the onset of El Niño, a natural climate pattern characterized by unusually warm waters along the equatorial tropical Pacific Ocean.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 1 July 2026

Definition of abnormal

Adjective

Then there’s the risk of higher frustration and strained relationships across an organization.

— Kamya Elawadhi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
But for Chris Williams, an 18-year employee of the California Department of Education, the contentious return-to-office process may have teed up a strained relationship with downtown.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

Those included a charmingly cluttered Bucket family home, a lush candyland with the smell of chocolate piped through the Royal Theater to complement the full-size mock chocolate river, and a glass elevator that flew above the audience.

— Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Grindlinger is a two-way standout from Southern California who Baseball America had going to Boston in its latest mock draft.

— Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 July 2026

Definition of mock

Adjective

Passive cooling, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, refers to ways to lower the indoor temperature that don’t necessarily require mechanical technology, like AC.

— Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 3 July 2026
The pool did not open Saturday with the city's other outdoor pools after mechanical problems delayed the start of the season for the second consecutive year.

— Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Definition of mechanical

Adjective

First was a Drug Enforcement Administration badge and ID with Horsch’s photo on it, but the ID was fake, and Horsch has never worked for the DEA, according to court documents.

— Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
This game preserves the difficulty of coming up with an elaborate, consistent false narrative on the spot, and the challenge of adapting that narrative on the fly when other players present convincing (and sometimes fake) counter-evidence.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026

Definition of fake

Adjective

In the clip, the robot performs exaggerated, erratic movements, raising its arms into a martial arts-style fighting stance before lunging toward people around it.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
There were new rules announced pre-tournament to minimise timewasting via exaggerated injuries or via substitutions.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of exaggerated

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“Unnatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnatural. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unnatural

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