ATYPICAL Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

atypical

adjective

(ˌ)ā-ˈti-pi-kəl

Definition of atypical

as in unusual

being out of the ordinary the postal service delivered the package with atypical speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in abnormal

departing from some accepted standard of what is normal since that's an atypical response for an infant, you might want to have her hearing tested

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 atypical Elizabeth Taylor got ready in atypical fashion, almost backwards. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2026 In that setting, Galloway’s performance during the solo section is more more athletic than the lead guitar part, a tactic which is a tad atypical in country. — Tom Roland, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2026 Cazares’ far-off next court date, not until 2028, is not atypical, Meinecke said, given the backlog of cases in the fallout of the blitz. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 The prosecution’s experts disagreed, saying Clancy’s description of the voice was atypical of auditory hallucinations. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atypical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atypical

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

Storm surges -- abnormal rise in sea level caused by storms -- could reach 7 feet in parts of the Mississippi and Alabama coasts, and up to 5 feet on the western Florida panhandle.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
While one form, or isomer, of thalidomide has a sedative effect, the other is thought to cause abnormal physiological development.

— Sajish Mathew, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of abnormal

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

That amounts to unchecked growth resulting in relatively dense stands, which are unnatural for this part of the country — despite becoming a familiar sight to Coloradans over the last few decades.

— John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026
The California Department of Public Health said animals with rabies will often have strange or unnatural behavior.

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

Definition of unnatural

Adjective

The lifestyle here is anchored by an exceptional collection of amenities.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
The territory is also looking at its exceptional biodiversity as a platform for innovation, particularly in beauty, pharmaceuticals and healthcare.

— Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Adjective

That unique gallery purchased the building in 2018 for $3 million, but officials there didn’t begin planning its future in earnest until Cap City vacated its lease and closed in July 2025.

— John Wenzel, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
On Saturday, the singer and talk show host took to X to share details of her recent experience at Art of Play, a store known for its collection of toys, games, books, puzzles and other unique items.

— Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

This collective nature has a layering effect, telegraphing a specific sense of style and humanity increasingly rare in the world of contemporary hotels.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Expect to see rare bottles pulled from the shelves and all manner of weird and wonderful concoctions offered up from the menu and from their encyclopedic knowledge of drinks.

— Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 13 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

Definition of uncommon

Browse Nearby Words

atwitter

atypical

atypically

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“Atypical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atypical. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of atypical

adjective

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