unnatural

un·nat·u·ral | \ ˌən-ˈna-chə-rəl

How to pronounce unnatural (audio)

, -ˈnach-rəl \

Definition of unnatural

1 : not being in accordance with nature or consistent with a normal course of events

2a : not being in accordance with normal human feelings or behavior : perverse

b : lacking ease and naturalness : contrived her manner was forced and unnatural

c : inconsistent with what is reasonable or expected an unnatural alliance

Other Words from unnatural Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about unnatural

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Choose the Right Synonym for unnatural

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 unnatural in a Sentence

It seems unnatural to keep the bird in a cage. She has an unnatural obsession with money. Her smile looked forced and unnatural.

Recent Examples on the Web Many yardeners rely on highly polluting lawn mowers and lawn tractors, fume-spewing weed eaters and leaf blowers as well as an array of unnatural chemicals to kill weeds and pests. — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "The autumn leaves drift past your window. Now leave them alone.," 3 Oct. 2019 With the game on the line, Liberty-Brentwood quarterback Jay Butterfield, who by all accounts can make every throw a high school player can, did what comes somewhat unnatural to him, over and over again. — Mitch Stephens, SFChronicle.com, "Roundup: Running game comes up big for Liberty in win over Newman," 21 Sep. 2019 The water is still, offsetting the unnatural cracking sounds emanating from the woman’s ankles and neck. — Nina Li Coomes, The Atlantic, "The Uneven Historical Horror of The Terror: Infamy," 2 Sep. 2019 The next morning, an ethereal, unnatural calm settled like mist. — New York Times, "The Schoolteacher and the Genocide," 8 Aug. 2019 Protesters slander us with picket signs reading unnatural, un-cultural, anti-national, anti-social, etc. — Apoorva Malhotra, Quartz India, "A personal account of what it means to be gay in India," 17 July 2019 No religion or media or bully can convince me that true love is unnatural. — Paula Rogo, Essence, "Ari Lennox Claps Back At Homophobic People: 'If You Don’t Support LGBTQ Community, You Don’t Support Me'," 3 Sep. 2019 Many people struggle with feeling awkward and unnatural in these social situations. — Dear Sam | Expert Resume, oregonlive, "How do I expand my network?," 15 Mar. 2019 There is nothing that prevents us from deciding that the goal of life should be to be as unnatural as possible. — Louis Menand, The New Yorker, "How Cultural Anthropologists Redefined Humanity," 19 Aug. 2019

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

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Dictionary Entries near unnatural

unnatural causes

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Last Updated

24 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Unnatural.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unnatural. Accessed 14 December 2019.

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More Definitions for unnatural

unnatural

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of unnatural

: different from how things usually are in the physical world or in nature

: different from what is normal in a way that is seen as wrong, disturbing, etc.

: not real

See the full definition for unnatural in the English Language Learners Dictionary

unnatural

un·nat·u·ral | \ ˌən-ˈna-chə-rəl

, -ˈnach-rəl \

Kids Definition of unnatural

1 : different from what is found in nature or happens naturally

2 : different from what is usually considered normal behavior

3 : not genuine an unnatural smile

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