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
-
Although not musicians, the Goldbergs quickly realized there was something unusual about their 3-year-old boy.—
Steve Rothaus,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2025
-
For one group of six girls living in Waterloo, Canada, their lives took an unusual turn when a couple of very territorial geese decided to claim their front lawn as their own.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Research indicates that girls with autism have higher rates of abnormal hormonal changes, including irregular menstrual cycles, cramps, acne, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) than girls without autism.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
21 Apr. 2025
-
In some cases, the procedure can even identify, diagnose and treat things like abnormal growths all in one procedure.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 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
-
In the following months, Modi’s government introduced a series of extraordinary initiatives meant to solidify Hindu dominance.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
-
One minor injury was reported in the extraordinary mishap.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In an alternative '90s, dark waters from the underground scientific facility have risen to flood the town and deliver a menagerie of natural and unnatural nightmares.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
In this type of thinking, the desire to be alone is seen as unnatural and unhealthy, something to be pitied or feared rather than valued or encouraged.—
Virginia Thomas,
The Conversation,
4 Apr. 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
-
His answer, given the exceptional political and economic turmoil in Canada, was a bit surprising.—
Ian Austen,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The secret to an exceptional Amatriciana lies in selecting impeccable guanciale Amatriciano—with its perfect balance of tender meat and luxurious fat—creating the foundation upon which this masterpiece is built.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Hepworth has a unique advantage because of his background.—
Kody Boye,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
How to manage the ‘fear of outliving your resources’ Because of the unique risks every individual or couple faces when planning for retirement, the best approach is typically to transfer some of that burden to a third party, said David Blanchett, head of retirement research at PGIM DC Solutions.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aberrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aberrant. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share