UNNATURAL Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

unnatural

adjective

ˌən-ˈna-chə-rəl

Definition of unnatural

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strained

lacking in natural or spontaneous quality just before the debate, the candidates flashed unnatural smiles for the cameras

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Some deepfakes still have telltale flaws such as unnatural facial movements, lip-sync glitches, robotic speech or awkward pauses — but the technology is rapidly improving, a spokesperson for the organization said. — Emily Elconin For Cnn, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026 Another ensemble member is juggling nearby as someone spins in a giant hoop at an unnatural speed. — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Why the dead girl’s computer glows with an unnatural brightness whenever the lights turn off? — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026 When my husband comes home and stands in front of the refrigerator stuffed with bags of mulberry leaves, his face takes on an unnatural look. — Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unnatural

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnatural

Adjective

In Karl’s case, the changes to his own facial recognition pathways began after surgery to remove an arteriovenous malformation, an abnormal tangle of blood vessels, from his right posterior temporal region.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Nov. 2026
AFib affects approximately 1 in every 22 Americans and is caused by abnormal electrical signals in the heart, according to the National Institutes of Health.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of abnormal

Adjective

That decision left the financially strained athletic department staring at a buyout of roughly $50 million.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
The relationship between LaLiga and Real Madrid is beyond strained—see Tebas’ Nazi comments as an example—but on this two agreed that everyone involved had to bend the knee.

— Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

Lina Attalah, a co-founder and editor-in-chief of Mada Masr, is challenging a one-year prison sentence and a fine imposed in absentia on charges of operating a website without a license and spreading false news.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
Numerous European carriers were hit with false bomb threats last week, including Irish airlines Aer Lingus and Ryanair, Hungarian carrier Wizz Air and Polish Airlines.

— Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of false

Adjective

In convict poker, a raging bull is loosed on a mock card game, and the last man still seated wins a prize.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
From doctors prescribing travel to Sweden as a medical treatment to Oslo's viral mock-documentary narrated by a jaded local called Halfdan.

— Lola Akinmade, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of mock

Adjective

This expansive set of 50 items comes with artificial pumpkins, artificial leaves, artificial acorns, artificial pine cones and a mesh bag for storage.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
The 990-foot ship, which was docked in Philadelphia for decades, is set to become the world's largest artificial reef on Wednesday instead of Thursday, Okaloosa County, Florida, officials announced Monday night.

— CBS Philadelphia, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of artificial

Adjective

Founded by aerospace and mechanical engineers Dissanayake and Reza Fetanat, Spaceium joined Y Combinator’s Summer 2024 batch.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2026
Their mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems have become less efficient in recent years, requiring more maintenance and repairs, and will be replaced, officials said.

— Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of mechanical

Adjective

Minaj once helped establish the vocabulary of contemporary female rap, from the exaggerated voices to the theatrical alter egos and everything in-between.

— Anna Rahmanan, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2026
The exaggerated pointy toe also makes the boot look incredibly stylish.

— Abby Hepworth, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of exaggerated

Adjective

Now, Mirren swoops in with her (actually fake) knife and rather un-murderously uses it to cut the (also fake) Sunday roast on the table.

— Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2026
This cursed meeting is a rebuttal to the PR relationship claims, but doing it on-camera kind of undoes the intended purpose and makes the whole thing seem even more fake.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of fake

Browse Nearby Words

unnamed

unnatural

unnaturally

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unnatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnatural. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unnatural

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

impertinent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes