aberration

noun

ˌa-bə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce aberration (audio)
Definition of aberrationnext
1
as in dementia
a serious mental disorder that prevents one from living a safe and normal life Joan of Arc was certain the voices she had been hearing were not a manifestation of some sort of aberration

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2
as in anomaly
something that is different from what is ordinary or expected there are some slight aberrations in the type due to the nature of old printing presses

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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 aberration Eventually, one of them may be seen as a signal of the country's future course, the other as a political aberration. — Susan Page, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025 But that’s the aberration — not the norm — for his career vs. pressure. — Rob Reischel, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 In 2016, Trump’s Electoral College defeat of Hillary Clinton seemed as if it could be written off as an aberration. — Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025 This is an aberration from the rest of the Bulls roster, which ranks ninth in the league in accuracy (37.1%) while taking the second-most 3-point attempts (42.8) in the league. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aberration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aberration
  1. dementia
  2. anomaly
  3. insanity
  4. exception
  5. hysteria
  6. abnormality
  7. schizophrenia
  8. rarity
Noun
  • Caring for someone with dementia is extremely demanding and not a one-person job.
    — Dana Feldman, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Emma then revealed Bruce's frontotemporal dementia diagnosis in February 2023.
    — Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of dementia
Noun
  • That data is then processed by algorithms that can analyze dialogue patterns, detect anomalies and systemically identify underlying drivers of communication trends.
    — Todd Fisher, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Each system gives Amazon the ability to monitor its facilities for anomalies in energy and water usage by using comparative data points.
    — Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of anomaly
Noun
  • Smith’s attorneys argued that he should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, records show.
    — Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Despite his confession, Moseley pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at the trial for Kitty's slaying.
    — Jessica Sager, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • The California Department of Human Resources recently released statewide guidance on exceptions to the return-to-work order.
    — William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Today, economic uncertainty is a constant, not an exception.
    — Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of exception
Noun
  • Echoes of the past During periods of nationalist hysteria, however, overreach is common.
    — Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025
  • But while Opus parades as a critique of fame and those who kneel at its altar, Green offers no lasting observations of commodified narcissism, or of fans who get swept into a state of mass hysteria.
    — Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of hysteria
Noun
  • Studies suggest that mosaicism is common in embryos, and that even those with multiple chromosomal abnormalities can result in healthy, full-term pregnancies—albeit less often than euploid embryos.
    — Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
  • It is caused by an abnormality in a gene called PLA2G6.
    — Taylor Grothe, Parents, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of abnormality
Noun
  • But autism isn’t a mental illness, and neither Ohio’s nor Kentucky’s laws apply to people with autism, instead listing diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and delusional disorder as possible exemptions.
    — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Odell was so easy to gaslight and discredit, but the facts of her body, and of the child, could not be denied.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of schizophrenia
Noun
  • The fan version of Rotom will also be a rarity because the Plasma Pokemon usually makes appearances during special events.
    — Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025
  • While most in the profession change jobs every few years for better opportunities and more pay, Olen is a rarity in a cutthroat, competitive industry.
    — Tim Casey, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of rarity

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“Aberration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aberration. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on aberration

Nglish: Translation of aberration for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aberration

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