aberrant 1 of 2

adjective

a-ˈber-ənt How to pronounce aberrant (audio)
Definition of aberrantnext
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

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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

aberrant

2 of 2

noun

as in deviant

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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
Adjective
The question may seem aberrant, something a dimwit or sadistic mother might ask her charge during toilet training, but Americans do regard living writers as both needlessly and necessarily strange. — Literary Hub, 22 Apr. 2026 At the time, many observers treated his approach as aberrant. — Jack Schlossberg, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
An adventure without a modicum of agenda, absent any aspirations, aberrant or apposite. — Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for aberrant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aberrant
  1. unusual
  2. abnormal
  3. deviant
  4. extraordinary
  5. unnatural
  6. eccentric
  7. exceptional
  8. unique
Adjective
  • The conflict played out under the watchful eye of Johnson’s senior adviser, Jason Lee — an unusual involvement for a high-ranking mayoral staffer, given that the $8 million grant is administered by a separate department.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Guerrero’s struggles have been particularly noticeable, creating an unusual disconnect between his superstar status and his production.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • The new safeguards include requiring law enforcement to label every search with a with a criminal case number, and instituting an automatic review for abnormal search activities, which will trigger proactive lockouts for those users.
    — Soo Youn, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Flock's customers can also limit which types of offenses outside agencies can search for in its system, and law enforcement will have to turn on a tool that aims to flag abnormal search behavior.
    — Ashley Grams, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of abnormal
Noun
  • This boosts the rank, and by experimenting with this mechanic, players can uncover mutations and deviants, the rarest and most powerful variants.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Tolerating deviant behavior is the same as saying that behavior is acceptable.
    — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of deviant
Adjective
  • Something extraordinary these episodes illustrate, in our view, is the vulnerability of America’s highly interconnected fresh-food supply chain, in which one grower or supplier problem can ripple astonishingly far.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Sen’s choreography extends this ancient form, adding partnering and dynamic range; her dancers, all trained under her tutelage, move with extraordinary clarity and incisiveness.
    — Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • When channels are created with unsuitable blades, angles, or placement, transplanted hair may grow in an unnatural direction or produce an overly uniform appearance.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But the internet is fake, and people communicate to one another there in a way that is wholly unnatural.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of unnatural
Noun
  • With its loose ends and digressions, Dream Me a Dream stays true to those idiosyncratic instincts while retaining enough of the welcoming glow of Dance of Love to make this an affecting farewell from an endearing eccentric.
    — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
  • The eccentric cuz is quick to try and help Bobby solve problems, which often gets him into trouble, but ultimately pushes him out of his shell.
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026
Definition of eccentric
Adjective
  • The next useful signal is not another debate about whether SpaceX is exceptional.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Younger Americans are more likely to say their parents viewed them as exceptional.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • This unique account type has a variable rate that will be more responsive to market conditions, unlike the CD which will hold until the maturity date arrives.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Ganos said the 97 carts are also unique because of their perfect condition, that much like comic books or sports cards, often sell higher.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of unique

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abecedarians
aberrant
aberrants
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Cite this Entry

“Aberrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aberrant. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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