1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary
a year of aberrant weather—record rainfall in the summer, record heat in the autumn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abnormal
departing from some accepted standard of what is normal
aberrant behavior can be a sign of rabies in a wild animal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in deviant
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 aberrant
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
So her aberrant behavior was anxiety-driven?
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
But Tuttle and Birney, whose Hank is witty, insightful and guilt-stricken over his aberrant desires, know that many people will condemn them for portraying a pedophile as a human being, not just a monster.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
The aberrant gene makes a form of the huntingtin protein that clumps into toxic aggregates, which prevent nerves from functioning normally.
—Alice Park, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aberrant
Adjective
There were few signs of aberrant mortality or violence.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
So her aberrant behavior was anxiety-driven?
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
But Tuttle and Birney, whose Hank is witty, insightful and guilt-stricken over his aberrant desires, know that many people will condemn them for portraying a pedophile as a human being, not just a monster.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
The aberrant gene makes a form of the huntingtin protein that clumps into toxic aggregates, which prevent nerves from functioning normally.
—Alice Park, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aberrant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aberrant
Adjective
-
That unusual role for a spy chief raised additional questions from Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees.—
DAVID KLEPPER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
What was unusual, in Lublin’s view, was for Bessent to reveal his thoughts on monetary policy — normally the purview of the Federal Reserve — and his insistence that Trump has the right to interfere with the decision-making of the central bank.—
Fatima Hussein,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Or hold a burning incense stick around the windows and doors, and watch for any abnormal smoke movement.—
Michelle Ullman,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The training also makes clear that the definition of ectopic pregnancies — which are always life-threatening — includes any that implant in an abnormal location outside of the uterine cavity.—
Cassandra Jaramillo,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Among them is a singer (Kiernan Shipka) making a living as an exotic dancer, who, after becoming Sheridan’s victim, joins them in their battle to rein in the young deviant.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2026
-
They are devoted to deviant forms of knowledge and to doom as a liberatory condition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Memory chipmakers have also seen extraordinary surges due to expectations for the AI buildout to boost demand for data storage.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Private schools, particularly Catholic schools, have demonstrated extraordinary success — even in communities struggling with poverty.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Others forced users to pause for several seconds between words, which made the conversation feel unnatural.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
If anything, Amorim proved too defiantly wedded to his own ‘way’, a 3-4-2-1 system which had to force-fit players into unnatural roles.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Catherine O’Hara portrayed ridiculous eccentrics with equal parts hilarity and humanity.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Greg Brown, the original guitarist and co-founding member of ’90s alt-rock eccentrics Cake, has died.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Even when dining on the patio, the cuisine is exceptional, which comes as no surprise since Seabourn is a member of the famous culinary Chaîne des Rôtisseurs association.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The service is exceptional, and the food is delicious, especially the fluffy, build-your-own omelet.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people — including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Effective verification would likely entail having the abductor — or abductee — provide a unique piece of information only a handful of people would know.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aberrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aberrant. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
