as in synthetic
produced by humans rather than natural processes
pure vanilla extract that was made without any nonnatural ingredients
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Recent Examples of nonnatural
The latter discipline has racked up impressive achievements in retooling cells for nonnatural tasks—for example, programming bacteria to glow in the presence of pollutants and other chemicals.
—
Philip Ball, Scientific American, 18 Apr. 2023
The increase in mortality has been especially stark among working-age males, with increases in death rates from alcohol, violence, and other nonnatural causes.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2023
In several landscapes, including Lundbye’s, a distinctive nonnatural element recurs: a prehistoric stone structure of upright boulders with a capstone known as a dolmen.
—Holland Cotter, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2023
In the Bahamas, 27 U.S. citizens have died from nonnatural causes, including drownings, vehicle accidents and homicide, from January 2018 to June 2021, according to the most recent available State Department data.
—Omar Abdel-Baqui, WSJ, 9 May 2022
Purified, nonnatural diets such as AIN-93, which contain refined, easy-to-digest ingredients, can lead to various abnormalities in lab mice that could affect experimental results, including a buildup of fat, a loss of normal intestinal bacteria, and a reduction in the size of the intestines.
—Mennatella Ibrahim, Science | AAAS, 17 June 2021
Only one nonnatural death of an inmate has ever been reported at the prison.
—Joseph Simonson, Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2021
Philip Ball, Scientific American, 18 Apr. 2023
The increase in mortality has been especially stark among working-age males, with increases in death rates from alcohol, violence, and other nonnatural causes.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2023
In several landscapes, including Lundbye’s, a distinctive nonnatural element recurs: a prehistoric stone structure of upright boulders with a capstone known as a dolmen.
—Holland Cotter, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2023
In the Bahamas, 27 U.S. citizens have died from nonnatural causes, including drownings, vehicle accidents and homicide, from January 2018 to June 2021, according to the most recent available State Department data.
—Omar Abdel-Baqui, WSJ, 9 May 2022
Purified, nonnatural diets such as AIN-93, which contain refined, easy-to-digest ingredients, can lead to various abnormalities in lab mice that could affect experimental results, including a buildup of fat, a loss of normal intestinal bacteria, and a reduction in the size of the intestines.
—Mennatella Ibrahim, Science | AAAS, 17 June 2021
Only one nonnatural death of an inmate has ever been reported at the prison.
—Joseph Simonson, Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonnatural
Adjective
-
Today’s versions are typically made by casting various synthetic materials into bodily shapes.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
25 Sep. 2025
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Bills in the legislature in 2023 and 2025 attempting to regulate kratom — via age restrictions, labeling requirements and the prohibition of synthetic alkaloids like 7-OH — failed to pass out of committee.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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By springtime, the lingering sight of the giant artificial tree — still decked out in blinking lights and a red bow — was drawing attention on social media and causing concern for the mall's future.—
JC Reindl,
Freep.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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Surgeons and doctors often rely on artificial models to practice delicate procedures.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonnatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonnatural. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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