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
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Franklin’s work follows a 2025 Consumer Reports study, which made the rounds on social media last year after finding carcinogens in 10 synthetic braiding hair extensions.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
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That is in part, experts say, because newer, synthetic materials are less likely to bleed than the natural fibers that made up most of our clothes in the past.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Carvalho heavily promoted the artificial-intelligence chatbot, which was billed as helping with student absenteeism.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
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Three of the seven sugar substitutes involved in the study—erythritol, sorbitol, and xylitol—belong to a category known as sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners that can be found in sweet treats like candy, ice cream, baked goods, and protein bars (and can cause digestive symptoms), for example.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonnatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonnatural. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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