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atypical

adjective

(ˌ)ā-ˈti-pi-kəl How to pronounce atypical (audio)
Definition of atypicalnext
1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary the postal service delivered the package with atypical speed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 O’Flynn was still a student at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and had no idea how atypical this approach was for film acting. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026 While eschewing any out-of-town tryouts in order to come directly to Broadway is atypical and potentially risky, perhaps producer Mike Bosner is particularly confident because of the A-list creative team behind the show. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026 The cinnamon rolls are a favorite, but the atypical Kouign-amann, which comes baked as a whole cake and is served in slices, might be the menu’s best-kept secret. — Kyle Beechey, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026 Others may present with atypical symptoms that do not fit neatly into diagnostic categories. — Jamie Maguire, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atypical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atypical
  1. unusual
  2. abnormal
  3. extraordinary
  4. unnatural
  5. exceptional
  6. unique
  7. rare
  8. uncommon
Adjective
  • The move is unusual due to the more than six-month-long conflict between Iran and the United States and no sign that agreements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or return to talks on Iran's nuclear program are close.
    — September 18, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The team also needed to confirm that the unusual structures were genuine electron behavior rather than artifacts created by the microscope.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Taking prescribed medications, following up on abnormal test results and addressing chronic health conditions rather than putting them off are all ways to support long-term vascular and brain health.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Holtec is developing the Pioneer units around its SMR-300 reactor, which uses passive safety systems designed to respond to abnormal conditions without relying on active operator intervention.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of abnormal
Adjective
  • The Tigers repeatedly found explosive gains through the air, some created not by an extraordinary throw but by a defensive breakdown.
    — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The adventure experts at EYOS Expeditions have curated a new journey that combines a deep-water expedition with all the extraordinary wonders of Alaska’s wilderness.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • Another ensemble member is juggling nearby as someone spins in a giant hoop at an unnatural speed.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Why the dead girl’s computer glows with an unnatural brightness whenever the lights turn off?
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of unnatural
Adjective
  • Michelin has introduced a rating of wineries where one grape denotes a very good producer; two an excellent producer, and three an exceptional producer.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2026
  • But a player who is exceptional at the sport but lacks notoriety is a different story.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • But this cycle, Republicans are doing so with unique political headwinds, chief among them the war in Iran.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than excavating and extensively modifying hundreds of unique Minuteman-era facilities, the Air Force is developing a standardized, modular construction approach for the new silos.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • At low volume, failures are rare enough that the stakes are low.
    — Shivansh Inamdar, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But in a rare moment, the bosses of Anthropic, OpenAI and xAI have come together to support the view that the development of AI models should slow down amid growing fears over the technology's capacity to cause harm.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of rare
Adjective
  • Other uncommon marine animals have wandered into California waters this year.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Daytime activity is not uncommon and does not necessarily indicate rabies.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of uncommon

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Cite this Entry

“Atypical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atypical. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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