abnormal

[ab-nawr-muhl] / æbˈnɔr məl /

ADJECTIVE

different from standard or norm

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aberrant anomalous atypical bizarre exceptional extraordinary irregular odd peculiar strange uncommon unexpected unnatural unusual weird

WEAK

anomalistic curious deviant deviate deviating divergent eccentric fantastic funny grody gross heteroclite heterodox heteromorphic off-base off-color out of line preternatural screwy spastic unorthodox

Antonyms

STRONGEST

common conforming conventional expected familiar normal ordinary regular standard usual

WEAK

customary straight

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"In our situation, we assume that the shift in membrane composition is triggered by hyperactivity of the affected neurons due to Alzheimer's disease. That is, these neurons exhibit abnormal firing."

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

The Masters will never be as famous as the British Open for rain-soaked afternoons, yet it’s abnormal for conditions to be this dry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

The cancerous plasma cells produce large amounts of an abnormal antibody called M protein, which builds up in bone marrow and forms tumors in bones, like the one in my hip.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

"This is abnormal, for sure," says Mukesh Sahdev, chief oil analysts at XAnalysts.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

I wondered how Richard was navigating the turbulent waters between his normal wife and his abnormal parents.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Vocabulary lists containing abnormal

Lesson 1

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 6

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