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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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

According to MedlinePlus, normal pressure hydrocephalus is an abnormal or excessive buildup of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain, which can impact brain function, cause walking or gait changes, or incontinence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
About one in 10 screening mammograms come back abnormal, but roughly 90% of those findings turn out to be benign.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of abnormal

Adjective

Rice could return in the coming week after suffering a strained hamstring.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
As an 'artificial friend' purchased for an ailing teen, Jenna Ortega tries hard to illuminate this misbegotten Kazuo Ishiguro adaptation, but Waititi's decision to play it for strained, whimsical comedy is ruinous.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

Screening mammograms miss about one in eight breast cancers overall, and people with dense breasts are more likely to get false-negative results, the American Cancer Society reports.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Overall, screening mammograms miss about one in eight breast cancers, and people with dense breasts are more likely to get false-negative results.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of false

Adjective

Instead, the beleaguered quarterback continues to slide down mock draft boards as the season matures.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Testing sensors on canisters During the INL demonstration, researchers installed optical fibers outside a mock nuclear fuel canister and tested several arrangements to measure acoustic vibrations.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of mock

Adjective

Other parts of government already contract out rocket launches, cloud storage, satellite intelligence and artificial-intelligence analysis to the tech sector.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Stocks in the artificial-intelligence industry bounced back Monday on Wall Street and recovered some of their steep losses from last week, but the rest of the market and stocks worldwide were shaky.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of artificial

Adjective

Related Stories Speaking at View Conference in Turin on Thursday, Hickel, who recently marked 30 years at ILM, detailed how the team mixed digital animation with physical sets, mechanical rigs and traditional stop-motion.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
For example, changes in contact forces could indicate whether a screw has engaged correctly, while audio cues could help identify when a mechanical latch has clicked into place.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of mechanical

Adjective

While her sculptural dress commanded attention with its plunging neckline and exaggerated peplum waist, her shoes provided a sleek, minimalist finish that tied the entire look together.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
While there are men who have been affected — George Brett Olson has been one vocal example — the majority affected seem to be women, whose likenesses are often exaggerated or distorted for the purposes of sexualization.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of exaggerated

Adjective

When Lee gets to the visitation window, there’s a fake Mekko sitting across from him.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
The fake image was attention-grabbing, shady, and timely — in other words, perfect for social media virality but a potential liability for the parties involved.

— Mia Sato, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of fake

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unnatural

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“Unnatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnatural. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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