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
-
In that respect, Alonso is not necessarily unusual.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
-
If anything seems unusual, trust your instincts and stop the communication immediately.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
According to the Cleveland Clinic, SADS is a heart condition where an abnormal heart rhythm affects the heart’s electrical system, causing sudden death.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
16 May 2025
-
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes abnormal inflammation around hair follicles, leading to excessive hair loss.—
Ruth Jessen Hickman,
Health,
16 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
-
The Film Festival has a unique setting with wonderful films and extraordinary events.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
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
-
But the settlers’ belief in the value of public goods and embrace of independent thinkers remain woven into the character of the city, which continues to attract artists, eccentrics and writers.—
Isabelle Taft,
New York Times,
4 May 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
The companies that invest in neurodiversity today are unlocking game-changing innovation, future-proofing their organizations and setting a new standard for what an exceptional workplace looks like.—
Ben Semmes,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
The engine of Czech youngster Mathias Vacek has been exceptional — almost single-handedly gifting Pedersen the win on stage five by bridging several gaps before performing a perfect leadout.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
But in the middle is this new, unique tea experience.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
-
My iPhones, for example, are all protected by unique, 10-digit PINs.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aberrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aberrant. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share