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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
Weissman’s characterization of Mobutu’s rule as something aberrant during Africa’s first three decades of independence is not accurate.
—Herman J. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2014
Again, the answer lies in the collective mindset of reality TV, whose fans are highly tolerant of aberrant behavior and quick to forgive missteps.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
But the more people speak up against such aberrant behavior, the more likely those who are inclined toward violence will be persuaded that engaging their fellow citizens nonviolently is the more patriotic course of action.
—Reuben E. Brigety Ii, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2020
See All Example Sentences for aberrant
Adjective
This not only paints a wider picture of his life and interests outside his Milan office, but frames his medical specialties as part of this natural world — his focus is the nature of human bodies, desires and impulses — rather than as something aberrant, as in the minds of detractors.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
Weissman’s characterization of Mobutu’s rule as something aberrant during Africa’s first three decades of independence is not accurate.
—Herman J. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2014
Again, the answer lies in the collective mindset of reality TV, whose fans are highly tolerant of aberrant behavior and quick to forgive missteps.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
But the more people speak up against such aberrant behavior, the more likely those who are inclined toward violence will be persuaded that engaging their fellow citizens nonviolently is the more patriotic course of action.
—Reuben E. Brigety Ii, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2020
See All Example Sentences for aberrant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aberrant
Adjective
-
But many don't realize there are lots of other, more unusual ways allergies can show up.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
2 May 2025
-
That’s not unusual, for people to send spritzes, but then the manager came out with a gift bag.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
The thing is, there are normal technologies that lead to abnormal impacts.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
Some patients with dysphonia feel that their abnormal voice issues affect their relationships and their ability to perform their job or take on leadership or public-facing roles.—
Indu Subramanian,
The Conversation,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
The 1972 thriller film Deliverance showed rural residents in a much harsher light, turning them into criminal, deviant villains.—
Alice George,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Notably, state self-evaluation and negative affect emerged as the most influential mediators for task performance and deviant behavior, respectively.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Stone’s life meandered from extraordinary creative highs to long periods of creative inactivity marked by questionable choices, in his career and in his life.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
9 May 2025
-
Competing against 12 choirs from across California — including teams from Los Angeles County, Visalia, Sacramento, and San Diego — as well as schools from Arizona and Nevada, the young ensemble scored an extraordinary 99 out of 100 points, according to a news release.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Multiple sclerosis bends his limbs in sharp, unnatural angles.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
-
A week ago, TikTok birthed a strange meme, proposing that the big hat that Zendaya wore back in 2014 during the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party contained something unnatural.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
Robert Redford delivers folksy wisdom as a local eccentric who once had his own dragon encounter, and even Karl Urban’s greedy logger is more of a nuisance than an outright villain.—
Josh Bell,
Vulture,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Attracting talent for greater innovation hazards acquiring a few eccentrics whose gifts come wrapped in controversial packaging.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In 1982, Israel demonstrated exceptional tactical precision in Operation Mole Cricket 19 in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, destroying the majority of Syrian aircraft without suffering a single loss.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
Poor records and inability to confirm the data about these people that were thought to be these special, exceptional, healthy agers is a real problem.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
Beaches were evaluated across eight criteria, including unique characteristics, wildlife, natural soundtrack, ease of water entry, and lack of overcrowding.—
Passport by ForbesLife,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
My recommendations are not an attempt to promote specific investment behavior or trading advice, but to guide and inform readers about popular and unique cards that are celebrated by the sports card community.—
Tyler Holzhammer,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aberrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aberrant. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share