ABNORMAL Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

abnormal

adjective

(ˌ)ab-ˈnȯr-məl

Definition of abnormal

as in unusual

being out of the ordinary a completely abnormal school day, because half of the kids were out sick

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unnatural

departing from some accepted standard of what is normal noticed his abnormal breathing and took him to the emergency room

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 abnormal An abnormal finding requires nodule measurement, risk classification and follow-up recommendations. — Oran Muduroglu, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 If these genes stop working, abnormal cells may survive and multiply. — Md Published, Verywell Health, 21 Sep. 2026 Research suggests about 95% of people who undergo a full-body MRI will have at least one abnormal finding. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026 Risks of ibogaine The hallucinogen is known to raise the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and rates and could cause vomiting. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abnormal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abnormal

Adjective

The team now points to interactions between manganese and ytterbium as a possible source of the unusual Hall response.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
The unusual diplomatic rebuke underscored the mistrust between the two countries.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

Generated by an internal large language model (LLM), OpenAI’s proof relies on an approach that many experts find unnatural.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026
Some deepfakes still have telltale flaws such as unnatural facial movements, lip-sync glitches, robotic speech or awkward pauses — but the technology is rapidly improving, a spokesperson for the organization said.

— Emily Elconin for CNN, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of unnatural

Adjective

This keeps the performance informal and keeps the narrative — a staggering odyssey of injustices, abuses, travel adventures, extraordinary coincidences, losses, reunions, reflections and self-analysis — from becoming sensationalized.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Guadagnino speaks in calligraphy; adjectives almost certainly accompany a proper name — the extraordinary, the wonderful, the genius.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

People with sleep apnea are two to five times more likely to have an irregular heartbeat.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
The style is created by stacking six Havaianas soles of varying shapes into an intentionally irregular platform, turning one of the brand’s most recognizable elements into a repetitive structure.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of irregular

Adjective

The machines typically used to compress fuel must deliver enormous bursts of energy with exceptional precision.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
The formula’s lead ingredient, soybean ferment extract, is an exceptional resurfacing agent—improving skin’s texture, tone, and radiance without any harsh side effects.

— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Adjective

This unique propagation gives rise to wave trajectories with directional rotation, or handedness, which dictates whether paths rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Season two goes a little differently than season one, because the music exec in charge of casting the show (Ashley Padilla) is being lightly blackmailed by two … unique candidates (Jane Wickline and new cast member Grace Reiter).

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Sarah Patton, a Compass agent familiar with the buildings, says that a few years ago, when hundreds of units were being marketed downtown, some buildings were making deals, but that’s rare.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 29 Sep. 2026
Since then researchers have discovered that the Epstein-Barr virus, which is known to cause cancers such as nasal pharyngeal cancers and some forms of lymphoma, is also linked to some stomach cancers and some rarer lymphomas, Clifford says.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

This way of thinking is not uncommon, and it’s not limited to film criticism.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
Police noted that mountain lions are not uncommon near the Stanislaus River and other rural pockets around Oakdale but urged residents to stay alert – especially overnight and around dawn and dusk.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of uncommon

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“Abnormal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abnormal. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of abnormal

adjective

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