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 Predictive analytics may identify abnormal vibration, but a technician still needs to determine the cause. — Justin Wisor, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 That distinction matters in a case involving absent or severely abnormal kidneys and bladder, such as the one described in an August Gwen Faulkenberry column. — Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026 She never has been diagnosed with an underlying seizure disorder, such as epilepsy, and a medical test to provoke a seizure in Linton after the crash came back with no abnormal brain activity, prosecutors said. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 The company also plans to automatically suspend a user's access when their search activity meets criteria for abnormal use. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abnormal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abnormal

Adjective

Atomic hydrogen’s unusual reactivity could potentially be useful in other areas of organic chemistry and, over the longer term, biological sciences.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
The unusual diversion also led to discussion among travelers online, some of whom shared their own experiences with restroom problems aboard flights.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

The California Department of Public Health said animals with rabies will often have strange or unnatural behavior.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of unnatural

Adjective

Alongside Parton’s thousands of remarkable songs, the singer’s extraordinary life and career reached beyond music.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026
Hill’s departure marks the end of an extraordinary run in one of heavy metal’s defining bands.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

As reported by Dealabs, the tracker may also be able to notify wearers about potential atrial fibrillation and irregular heart rhythms.

— Emma Roth, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026
At the center of the collection is Brurry Denim, a proprietary Japanese selvedge developed for the collection using intentionally irregular yarns inspired by the imperfections of century-old fabrics.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of irregular

Adjective

Her career demonstrates extraordinary range, an exceptional level of acting and at the same time, a very special connection with audiences.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Nonetheless, the association of Nike with exceptional athletes remains a litmus test for relevance, consumer sentiment, and brand equity — all metrics Hill should be working toward as part of his ongoing brand turnaround.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Adjective

Beat shows how so many of the sounds that were prevalent in the mid-’90s contained a unique, end-of-the century sadness.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
Instead, the self-regulating organization takes the day-to-day lead in devising standards, conducting oversight, enforcing rules, and punishing bad actors, drawing on its business members’ unique knowledge and real-world expertise.

— William R. Gruver, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Children—a rare sight at Trancoso’s small, intimate pousadas but welcome here—are kept busy by a discreet army of private nannies and hotel monitors.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Because Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from the case, an eight-person bench will decide the case for the Supreme Court, leaving open the possibility of a rare 4-4 deadlock.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

The 1997 Disney movie Hercules mixed Roman and Greek names, helping propagate this and other inaccuracies (not uncommon in Hollywood’s depictions of ancient Greece).

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
This is not uncommon — women make up 4% of laureates since the award’s inception, though that has inched up to 12% in the past decade.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026