abnormal

ab·nor·mal | \ (ˌ)ab-ˈnȯr-məl

How to pronounce abnormal (audio)

, əb- \

Definition of abnormal

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

abnormal

Definition of abnormal (Entry 2 of 2)

: an abnormal person

Other Words from abnormal Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about abnormal

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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: Adjective This brute link between abnormal activity patterns—whether induced by the spontaneous disease process or controlled by a surgeon’s electrode—and subjective experience provides support for a biological, not spiritual, origin. — Christof Koch, Scientific American, "What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about the Brain," 19 May 2020 The problems reported included abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, nausea and vomiting. — Anchorage Daily News, "Trump says he’s taking hydroxychloroquine to ward off COVID-19, despite lack of evidence it’s effective," 19 May 2020 But in the new abnormal, the day can get pretty boring. — Adam Grant, New York Times, "To Build Resilience in Isolation, Master the Art of Time Travel," 15 May 2020 The novelty of living amid the crisis has worn off, and the tedium of coping with the lockdown has given way to the uncomfortable reality that life will remain abnormal for the foreseeable future. — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, "The SNL Season Finale Doesn’t Sugar Coat Pandemic Anxiety," 10 May 2020 Get rolling Tulsa's defense, which puts extra defenders in coverage an abnormal amount, was unique. — Fletcher Page, Cincinnati.com, "College football 3 keys and prediction: No. 17 UC Bearcats at East Carolina Pirates," 1 Nov. 2019 The park has undergone a series of investigations to determine the reason for the abnormal amount of horse injuries and deaths. — Aj Willingham, CNN, "5 things to know for October 21: Canada elections, Protests, Brexit, Impeachment inquiry, California wildfires," 21 Oct. 2019 So, methemoglobinemia is a rare blood disorder that causes people to produce an abnormal amount of methemoglobin. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "What is Methemoglobinemia? What to Know About the Rare Disorder That Turned One Woman’s Blood Blue," 19 Sep. 2019 Common problems of the cervix include benign polyps (which usually don’t cause symptoms but may produce heavy or irregular bleeding) and abnormal cells that may — but don’t usually — develop into cancer. — Katherine Hobson, New York Times, "Know Your Uterus," 18 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abnormal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

22 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Abnormal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abnormal. Accessed 28 May. 2020.

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More Definitions for abnormal

abnormal

ab·nor·mal | \ ab-ˈnȯr-məl

\

Kids Definition of abnormal

: differing from the normal usually in a noticeable way an abnormal growth

abnormal

ab·nor·mal | \ (ˈ)ab-ˈnȯr-məl

\

Medical Definition of abnormal

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

Medical Definition of abnormal (Entry 2 of 2)

: an abnormal person

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