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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 The group claimed the show at the festival in Larkspur violated Colorado law prohibiting elephants and other animals from being used in traveling acts and forced the elephants to perform unnatural behaviors. Katie Langford, Denver Post, 7 June 2025 This iteration, in its freakish youthfulness and unnatural perfection is what finally shifted my Geezus Christ into the more secular Holy sh*t. Valerie Monroe, Allure, 2 June 2025 The case is one of hundreds in the Medieval Murder Maps database, which uses coroners' rolls to track real cases of unnatural death in 14th-century England—now mapped across cities like London, Oxford, and York. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025 With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love, and their flesh. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unnatural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnatural
Adjective
  • Alzheimer’s Disease is characterized by the presence of beta-amyloid, an abnormal substance which form sticky plaques on the brain which may result in death of brain cells.
    Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Mice studies suggest that activating these receptors may cut off oxygen supply to the retina, promoting the abnormal blood vessel growth that leads to nAMD.
    Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The earliest use cases have shown up where human labor is most strained and speed is a competitive edge, support desks, sales pipelines, email inboxes and even the marketing office where agentic marketplaces like Enso offer an entire team’s worth of agentic replacements.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Tehran's densely populated urban centers and strained infrastructure make the city especially vulnerable to continued attacks, heightening fear and instability.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • But an investigation resulted in an astonishing call from the other side of the world, which revealed that ‘The GPO Girl’ was, in fact, a 25-year-old Australian, who has created more than 100 false identities.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 June 2025
  • Simultaneously, Dani Olmo could act as a false number 9 while a Robert Lewandowski believed to be on his way to Saudi Arabia in 2026 is gradually phased out.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, some mock boards don’t have Luis being drafted at all.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 17 June 2025
  • Connelly, like many media members, has taken part in the annual mock selection sessions run by the CFP to provide a window into its process.
    Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Even as the key date approaches, a close reading of the Kansas law makes clear that the deadline is largely artificial.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
  • Both California and West Virginia have recently banned artificial dyes in foods served in schools.
    Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2025
  • Repairs include mechanical/plumbing elements, as well as wood flooring in its historic gymnasium, and the initial phase of three was approved unanimously by trustees Friday.
    Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • These tech support scams combine seemingly genuine offers of help regarding security issues surrounding account activity with fake ID Captcha prompts that involve executing malicious commands using the Windows Run prompt.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • He was charged with armed violence, use of a firearm without a firearm owner’s identification card, possession of a fake ID and drug possession.
    Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • The reports of the monolithic legal model’s imminent death, to channel Mark Twain, have been greatly exaggerated.
    Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Reports of Boca’s death were exaggerated, however, as their fans have breathed life into this newborn tournament here in Miami.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unnatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnatural. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unnatural

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