1
as in exception
something that is different from what is ordinary or expected
her C grade is an anomaly, as she's never made anything except A's and B's before
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abnormality
a person, thing, or event that is far from normal
snow in July is an anomaly in most of the northern hemisphere
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 anomaly
Zillow calculates the value of a typical home using the average middle third of home values (eliminating statistical anomalies at the high and low end).
—
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
That’s an anomaly in this city, where pretty much everything has been reimagined into this new context.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
The analysis flags anomalies around the shooter’s face.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2026
One of the reasons High School Musical feels like such an anomaly now because of how Disney Channel original movies changed following its success.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anomaly
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
That’s an anomaly in this city, where pretty much everything has been reimagined into this new context.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
The analysis flags anomalies around the shooter’s face.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2026
One of the reasons High School Musical feels like such an anomaly now because of how Disney Channel original movies changed following its success.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anomaly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anomaly
Noun
-
That type of big-moment success was more the exception than the rule, however, in a Chiefs defensive season defined by letdowns in late, game-changing moments.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Smith maintained many of the gifts cited by Cannon fell under exceptions to the disclosure rules, including those governing charity event tickets and gifts for birthdays or holidays.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
We’ll be directed to follow a map toward abnormalities around the old zoo.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
-
He’s also suffered from the gait abnormality foot drop.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But if Yquem’s reputation and rarity keeps it among the world’s most expensive wines for only celebratory occasions, the availability and modest price of so many other great Sauternes allows anyone to enjoy them with friends throughout the year.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Homegrown rarities Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester headlined the ‘13 champions, but Boston’s most recent World Series squad in 2018 boasted a dazzling, but entirely outside rotation.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
It is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
These alliances focus on cracking the codes of protein mutations prevalent in pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers—targets that have historically resisted treatment.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But beneath his plush exterior and upbeat messaging, Buddy is an insatiably needy, controlling narcissist requiring constant affirmations of the children’s love and filling their heads with terror of the monsters lurking in the outside world beyond the park in which the show takes place.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Jack Black and Paul Rudd’s monster action comedy Anaconda is reportedly coming to digital streaming this week.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Seeing the actress let her freak flag fly is a delight, and O’Brien, whose character also displays many facets, matches her step for step.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Crawford went on to miss the whole year, first due to the knee issue and then due to a freak wrist injury suffered in an accident at home.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anomaly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anomaly. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
