Definition of unnaturalnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word unnatural distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words anomalous and irregular are common synonyms of unnatural. While all three words mean "not conforming to rule, law, or custom," unnatural suggests what is contrary to nature or to principles or standards felt to be essential to the well-being of civilized society.

prisoners treated with unnatural cruelty

When could anomalous be used to replace unnatural?

The meanings of anomalous and unnatural largely overlap; however, anomalous implies not conforming to what might be expected because of the class or type to which it belongs or the laws that govern its existence.

her drive made her an anomalous figure in a sleepy organization

When is irregular a more appropriate choice than unnatural?

The words irregular and unnatural are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, irregular implies not conforming to a law or regulation imposed for the sake of uniformity in method, practice, or conduct.

concerned about his irregular behavior

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 unnatural Bolton said unsatisfied transplant recipients are coming to him with unnatural hairlines. Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026 In 2014, Pam Grossman, who was director of visual trends at Getty, created the Lean In Collection from the archives after noting that many stock images of female professionals featured heavy makeup and unnatural poses. Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026 But there’s something incredibly unnatural about the fast attention of the internet. Charlie Harding, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026 If the traditional model of confidence feels unnatural to you, the answer is not to become louder. Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unnatural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnatural
Adjective
  • In recent decades, drugs that target these proteins on the surface of tumor cells have been able to slow abnormal growth and control breast, lung, pancreas, and colon cancers involving these genes.
    Alice Park, Time, 12 May 2026
  • Moments later, someone ran by with an AED defibrillator—the portable device helps detect an abnormal heartbeat and can deliver an electrical shock during sudden cardiac arrest.
    Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • The 29-year-old, who lives in Texas, sustained a concussion and strained muscles in her ankle and neck.
    Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
  • While the Chinese model reduces upfront budget pressures on fiscally-strained African states, governments across the continent will now rely heavily on a small number of firms for hardware maintenance, modernization, and training.
    Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • The question of true or false became a sensation in 1967 with the famous film shot by Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin in the Pacific Northwest, capturing a hairy figure ambling through a Northern California wood.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
  • But with few details to go on, the question is whether this moment marks a genuine breakthrough, or just another false dawn.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • The sprawling 85-acre facility used to train Atlanta’s police and firefighters includes a mock gas station, a train track with several rail cars, a firehouse, a horse stable, a seven-story burn tower and a 28-lane indoor shooting range.
    Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 12 May 2026
  • Adding the appropriate gothic touch to this Debra Hill production are John Lloyd’s dripping-with-mock-Victorian-splendor sets and John Morris’ delightfully tongue-in-cheek score.
    Kirk Ellis, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • Bubble Up has a more natural taste than many of its competitors because it’s made with pure cane sugar and lemon and lime oils, rather than high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors, The Tasting Table reported.
    Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
  • The company was founded in 1879 by Carl von Linde, a pioneer in the invention of artificial refrigeration systems.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 May 2026
  • For one, the home would need to have a supply of electrical and mechanical resources that are fairly reliable, since Farney says that a data center will exceed residential power supply really fast.
    Kevin Williams, CNBC, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Ferro was arrested in May 2025 and found in possession of two firearms and a fake ID.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 8 May 2026
  • One tweet features an AI cover of a fake Slayr album called BURGERMAN that imagines him as a half-burger, half-human hybrid engulfed in a hellish flood of grease and cheese splatter.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • He is accompanied by the Cubans Piñera and Rodríguez Tomeu, who read fragments of poems in a flowery, exaggerated way.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
  • And Cannes was an exaggerated version.
    Derek Lawrence, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Unnatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnatural. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

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