1
as in abnormal
departing from some accepted standard of what is normal
the documentary evinces an unnatural obsession with the gruesome details of the disaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strained
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
just before the debate, the candidates flashed unnatural smiles for the cameras
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unnatural
Sony recently called for research partnerships that focus on richer joint designs and more flexible structures, noting that many machines move in rigid and unnatural ways.
—
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025
This was due to publications like Solly Zuckerman’s The Social Life of Monkeys and Apes, based partly on observations of baboons housed in unnatural and stressful London zoos.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025
With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love, and their flesh.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Later that night, the brothers return with Dougal supporting Colum, as his leg is twisted in an unnatural way.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnatural
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025
This was due to publications like Solly Zuckerman’s The Social Life of Monkeys and Apes, based partly on observations of baboons housed in unnatural and stressful London zoos.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025
With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love, and their flesh.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Later that night, the brothers return with Dougal supporting Colum, as his leg is twisted in an unnatural way.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnatural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnatural
Adjective
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Researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark followed 1,200 patients at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) who already had tiny implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in their chests.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Unlike traditional software tools that cannot detect unusual activity if legitimate login credentials are used, hardware-level security can detect unusual access patterns—like mass file transfers or abnormal read/write activity—at the physical layer.—
Camellia Chan,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Though the former couple remained close in the years after their separation, their relationship allegedly became strained when Simon stopped paying for their children’s school and medical fees following a change on his tax return.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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In contrast to Bella’s strained relationship with Coverley, her bond with her father was effortless.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Representatives for James have called the fraud claims made against her politically motivated and false.—
Robert Faturechi,
ProPublica,
6 Sep. 2025
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On the next play, Taylor was called for a false-start penalty.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The conversations, of course, were mock for journalistic purposes.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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The piping adds an athletic flair to the mock-neck sweater and sweatpant set, and small slits on the front of the hems add extra interest.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Just a straight, artificial line.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Sep. 2025
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On Wall Street, Friday’s heaviest weight on the stock market was Nvidia, the chip company that’s become the face of the artificial-intelligence boom.—
Stan Choe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The money would provide for beginning mechanical removal of the algae mass in the most problematic areas and setting up test areas for the effectiveness of algicides, Miller said.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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And while ultrasound techniques can modulate the activity of neurons by delivering gentle mechanical pulses that influence how cells send signals, current systems have struggled to reach deeper areas of the brain with sufficient precision—until now.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Federal Trade Commission issued an alert earlier in 2025 to encourage parents to talk to their children about the risks associated with responding to a fake text.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
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To make Reen feel comfortable and truly welcomed, Long’s entire extended family wore fake tattoo sleeves to the reunion.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The actress stepped out in New York City wearing a pair of retro-inspired, deep blue flare jeans with exaggerated bell hems.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Wrangler Retro High-Rise Trumpet Flare Jeans For a more statement-making option, try these Wrangler jeans with an exaggerated trumpet flare.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnatural. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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