1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary
a year of aberrant weather—record rainfall in the summer, record heat in the autumn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abnormal
departing from some accepted standard of what is normal
aberrant behavior can be a sign of rabies in a wild animal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in deviant
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 aberrant
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
So her aberrant behavior was anxiety-driven?
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
But Tuttle and Birney, whose Hank is witty, insightful and guilt-stricken over his aberrant desires, know that many people will condemn them for portraying a pedophile as a human being, not just a monster.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
The aberrant gene makes a form of the huntingtin protein that clumps into toxic aggregates, which prevent nerves from functioning normally.
—Alice Park, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aberrant
Adjective
There were few signs of aberrant mortality or violence.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
So her aberrant behavior was anxiety-driven?
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
But Tuttle and Birney, whose Hank is witty, insightful and guilt-stricken over his aberrant desires, know that many people will condemn them for portraying a pedophile as a human being, not just a monster.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
The aberrant gene makes a form of the huntingtin protein that clumps into toxic aggregates, which prevent nerves from functioning normally.
—Alice Park, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aberrant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aberrant
Adjective
-
Because the diagnosis was so unusual, zoo staff examined the bodies of 64 free-ranging roof rats that had either been euthanized in the course of regular pest control or found dead on the property.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
California voters approved a similar measure last fall as a counterpoint to Republicans' unusual mid-cycle redistricting that began in Texas.—
MEG KINNARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Look for choppy sentences, unusual inflections, abnormal phrasing, or incongruent background noise.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
-
And their response to her is like, maybe that’s not abnormal [for Jackie].—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One of the central contentions of Trump’s movement was that the world was run by a corrupt, deviant, and rootless élite, a cabal of cosmopolitan globalists who held themselves out as enlightened but were actually callous, self-interested, and predatory.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Among them is a singer (Kiernan Shipka) making a living as an exotic dancer, who, after becoming Sheridan’s victim, joins them in their battle to rein in the young deviant.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That project rests on decades of layered planning, established air rights and a transit hub designed to absorb extraordinary density.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Louise Trotter’s second runway collection for Bottega Veneta rooted in Milanese Brutalism was a stunning example of her visual artistry while exhibiting an extraordinary use of material.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When forty children remained quiet for an extended period, the world took on an eerie quality—natural or unnatural, who could say, but glorious all the same.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Synthetic audio can sound unnatural or inconsistent.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On her trail are a Báthory relative who is vegetarian (Thomas Schubert), his psychotherapist (Lars Eidinger), two vampirologists, a police inspector and a gallery of eccentrics.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Catherine O’Hara portrayed ridiculous eccentrics with equal parts hilarity and humanity.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some dishes, like the exceptional goat neck dum biryani, which is served in a pot that’s sealed with a thin flatbread, are larger, so check in with your server about the number of items to order.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Williams’ words in December about Dalman’s exceptional brain, however, were followed by something less prophetic.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
These collaborations are intended to drive breakthroughs from concept to real-world deployment, leveraging ORNL’s unique assets such as its microgrid testbeds, digital twin environments, and extensive energy science capabilities.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Gabe was a unique combination of musical brilliance, kindness and sharp wit.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aberrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aberrant. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
