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Synonym Chooser

How is the word anomalous distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words irregular and unnatural are common synonyms of anomalous. While all three words mean "not conforming to rule, law, or custom," 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

Where would irregular be a reasonable alternative to anomalous?

Although the words irregular and anomalous have much in common, 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

When is it sensible to use unnatural instead of anomalous?

The meanings of unnatural and anomalous largely overlap; however, 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

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 anomalous The wealth division's near-miss was reported to regulators and the company has since set up a tool to help vet large, anomalous payments and transfers, according to the report. Bhanvi Satija, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025 Other Extended Features In addition to monitoring your credit card and bank accounts for anomalous transactions, Bitdefender alerts you to possible fraudulent transactions in your investment accounts. PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025 The plan was already beginning to emerge on a sheet of Mylar graph paper—an oval, surrounded by arrows, with a handful of anomalous objects marked. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025 Monitor for anomalous process relationships, such as mfpmp.exe spawning network connections or writing to %APPDATA%. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anomalous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anomalous
Adjective
  • Instead of relying on old red flags like misspellings or poor grammar, employees should be trained to identify behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected requests for urgent financial transactions or unusual communication patterns.
    Stephen Moore, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Cruise cancellations are relatively unusual but can happen for a number of other reasons, including when a ship is chartered or needs to go to dry dock.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Symptoms of the condition can include shortness of breath, a sudden drop in blood pressure, an abnormal heart rate, and bleeding from the uterus, C-section, or IV sites.
    Korin Miller, SELF, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Tau tangles are also implicated in other neurological diseases such as frontal lobe dementia, or FTD, and Lewy body dementia in which abnormal clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein accumulate in the brain’s neurons.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Moral Feelings, Moral Reality, and Moral Progress by Thomas Nagel Omer Bartov ‘Infinite License’ The memory of the Holocaust has, perversely, been enlisted to justify both the eradication of Gaza and the extraordinary silence with which that violence has been met.
    Catherine Hall, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In July 2025, Haas will offer travelers an extraordinary journey through Colombia, providing insights into the resilience, history, and contributions of Afro-descendant communities.
    Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind.
    Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The body can also adapt to constant stress by staying in a heightened state of alertness, making peace feel unnatural.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the fact that the female figure may represent a priestess holding religious objects makes the discovery exceptional, as the researchers write.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Despite their extensive tag team history, the match devolved into a repetitive exchange of superkicks, failing to showcase the wrestlers' true abilities and leaving fans disappointed, especially amidst an otherwise exceptional WrestleMania card.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Goychay region, with its unique microclimate and mineral-rich soil, has become globally synonymous with Azerbaijani premium pomegranates.
    Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Through its unique approach to skincare, the company strives to challenge industry norms by innovating solutions from raw, natural ingredients.
    Grace Butler, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In an industry where longevity is rare, cryptocurrency exchange BitMart celebrates its seventh anniversary amid a landscape marked by volatility, security challenges, and rapid technological evolution.
    Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Sienna Miller and her daughter Marlowe made a rare appearance together at Savannah Miller’s Bridal Ballerina Breakfast, and the resemblance between the two is uncanny.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Cannes has been known to pull off the odd spectacular stunt too.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Sydnee, a 32-year-old medical salesperson lying about being a bottle service girl, found herself the odd one out as the others had grown incredibly close in the house.
    Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anomalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anomalous. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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