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

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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 Classification and mechanism of action Clozapine is considered a second-generation atypical antipsychotic drug. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026 In short, if your skin feels atypical or raises an internal red flag, give your derm a call or schedule an appointment. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026 An atypical ice giant Compared with its neighboring planets, Uranus is quite the outlier. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Elizabeth Taylor got ready in atypical fashion, almost backwards. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 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
  • And now Great Question will, hopefully CBS News thinks, bring that voice to new places, in a digital expansion that is unusual for an evening news anchor.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But the book walks the reader through Raichlen’s unusual path to becoming a food writer obsessed with the art of barbecuing.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Infected animals will eventually show signs of abnormal behavior, weight loss and physical debilitation in later stages of the disease.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The abnormal warmth is also delaying the changing of many tree leaves, and could bring health implications for plants across the Midwest and certain organisms living in the Great Lakes.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of abnormal
Adjective
  • Some of the rooms are off-limits, but visitors will get to see Duke's extraordinary collection of Islamic art.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Portland decision — based in part on data the Department of Justice later admitted was false — prompted an extraordinary filing by Judge Jay Bybee, who all but pleaded with the court to rehear the case and interpret the law differently.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • Some movements feel unnatural, facial expressions are exaggerated, and small details occasionally fall into the uncanny valley or break rules of logical consistency.
    — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But closer examination reveals that OpenAI’s proof builds its unnatural force in a totally distinct way.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of unnatural
Adjective
  • When machines can instantly replicate the average, the only true moat is the exceptional.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Brewers have an exceptional amount of talent too, and Murphy's routine of pretending like his team is a bunch of humble farmers who were playing stickball out back a few days ago is absurd and offensive.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • But only United States has this unique intelligence to say, to tell us, to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Revamping a historic building with unique architecture has posed some difficulties, said Karademas.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • In a recent rare interview with chum Matthew McConaughey, Bryan suggested that his songwriting-and-touring tear since leaving the Navy may be coming to a close soon.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • But these mergers are far too rare to explain the abundance of heavier elements in the universe.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of rare
Adjective
  • Coalition governments are not uncommon in the state, where politicians are fond of saying that pragmatism trumps partisanship.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Single digits—and even colder conditions, especially at elevation on Jackson Hole Mountain—are not uncommon.
    — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 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 25 Oct. 2026.

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