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.

“The shipping industry needs to prepare for the possibility that Hormuz transits could remain abnormal, not just through the end of May, but for months beyond,” Greg Miller, a senior maritime reporter, wrote.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Patients may appear healthy, but as they age, Ms. Khamsi explains, there are “populations of abnormal cells taking hold in their bodies.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

And there was certainly nothing abnormal about the airport being crowded with throngs of people still in their pajamas ahead of a 7 a.m. flight.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

What RFK Jr. and I have is a neurological disorder that causes abnormal contractions of different muscles.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

Though he has become rather proficient at slipping in at abnormal hours, sneaking out is a different matter.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

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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