1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary
a completely abnormal school day, because half of the kids were out sick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Even at peak fertility, in women's 20s, some 25% of eggs, when combined with sperm, will create embryos that are chromosomally abnormal and will likely lead to miscarriages, and the percentages rise from there.
—
Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 31 May 2026
The new stool tests have evolved in their ability to detect polyps and abnormal cells in samples.
—Andrea Dwyer, The Conversation, 30 May 2026
While the virus is typically associated with the cold winter months when flus and colds run rampant, these late-spring surges aren't abnormal.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Kidney stones, nerve damage, and abnormal heart rhythms are all potential consequences, Oparaji said.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for abnormal
Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 31 May 2026
The new stool tests have evolved in their ability to detect polyps and abnormal cells in samples.
—Andrea Dwyer, The Conversation, 30 May 2026
While the virus is typically associated with the cold winter months when flus and colds run rampant, these late-spring surges aren't abnormal.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Kidney stones, nerve damage, and abnormal heart rhythms are all potential consequences, Oparaji said.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for abnormal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abnormal
Adjective
-
Since arriving at the zoo, the buffalo has attracted large crowds and sparked debate over its unusual nickname.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
What’s unusual is to see these elements presented so grandly on a stage as big as The Bushnell’s and presented in a manner that doesn’t compromise a dark tale of anger, revenge, dangerous romance, desperation and survival.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
In a nearby tent was Zuhoor Musa Abdul Rahman, a 30-year-old housewife who recounted with unnatural calm the horrors that spurred her to flee El Fasher, a city some 300 miles east of Obeid.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
Only Maddie saw the unnatural, violent pull back inside, and most of the scares that follow likewise blur the line between reality and fantasy.—
Elena Lazic,
Variety,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Dylan’s custom Fender Stratocaster reflects both his extraordinary creativity and the pioneering spirit of the American guitar maker.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
1 June 2026
-
Are Henry James’s heroines, surely among the most extraordinary female characters in literary history, really one-dimensional idols?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
According to the medical records, the former pro wrestler had a history of leukemia and atrial fibrillation, a common disorder that causes irregular heartbeats.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
-
The Vatican said the pope’s stopover in the Spanish archipelago will send a message to Europe on migration at a moment of heightened political tensions over irregular arrivals.—
Claudio Lavanga,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
Where on one hand, the likes of Stark have enjoyed exceptional sales numbers, LiveWire has been struggling quite a bit.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 03,
New Atlas,
3 June 2026
-
Things do not go down without a hitch, despite Hollis’s exceptional menu planning and hosting abilities.—
Alessandra Codinha,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
While every ceremonial facilitator has their own unique way of preparing ayahuasca, most often two plants are brewed together (caapi vine and chacruna leaves) to create the highly powerful, transportive substance that can be used to treat physical and mental ailments.—
Michaela Trimble,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Like, what a unique experience.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
For those staying at Elang Private Residence, meals can be directed by the guests or left to the chef, serving up, say, lamb satay on sugarcane skewers, seafood with mango sambal, slices of rare beef with tiny pots of rendang sauce.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
The ability to disconnect intentionally from these overwhelming stimuli—to reclaim one’s focus, clarity, and feeling of immediacy—has become rare and precious.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
What customers increasingly dislike, Parmelee said, are screens that put pressure on customers to tip in situations in which gratuities were once optional or uncommon.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
When questioning is uncommon, early warnings are easy to overlook.—
Nisha Narayanan,
STAT,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abnormal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abnormal. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
