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as in biologic
being such by blood and not by adoption or marriage an adult adoptee who has decided to search for his natural parents

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining natural salts are not edible until they are washed and processed

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as in uninhabited
existing without human habitation or cultivation photographs of animals in their natural habitat

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as in illegitimate
born to a father and mother who are not married had fathered an unknown number of natural children

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natural

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noun

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For
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natural resources
geological resources
geologic resources
physical resources
native resources
environmental resources
natural disasters
earthly disasters
environmental disasters
ecological disasters
major disasters
unexpected disasters
a natural beauty
a genuine beauty
an authentic beauty
a real beauty
an unaltered beauty
an original beauty
natural products
organic products
holistic products
herbal products
pure products
homeopathic products
a natural law
an universal law
a physical law
a scientific law
a cosmic law
an innate law

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective natural differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of natural are normal, regular, and typical. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," natural applies to what conforms to a thing's essential nature, function, or mode of being.

the natural love of a mother for her child

When is normal a more appropriate choice than natural?

Although the words normal and natural have much in common, normal implies lack of deviation from what has been discovered or established as the most usual or expected.

normal behavior for a two-year-old

When is it sensible to use regular instead of natural?

The words regular and natural can be used in similar contexts, but regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.

the club's regular monthly meeting

Where would typical be a reasonable alternative to natural?

In some situations, the words typical and natural are roughly equivalent. However, typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.

a typical small town

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 natural
Adjective
Now weeks removed, an unconventional applicant looks like a natural in the role. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025 The brand was founded by Antony Buck and Robert Calcraft and positioned itself in the naturals category, which by the time of its acquisition had become among the fastest-growing skin care segments globally. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 May 2025
Noun
In natural systems, growth is followed by integration, energy is followed by recovery, and motion is followed by stillness. Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 Opening her own spot inside of Church’s venue is natural partnership, given the longtime artistic camaraderie between the two artists. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for natural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for natural
Adjective
  • What was on offer back then is no longer realistic.
    Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Another highlight comes in how the guys can playfully dance with one another in a garage, with their moves coming off more realistic and relatable than, say, a large K-pop group or a troupe of back-up dancers, which wouldn’t fit the laidback nature of the visual.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Shaw has said he was reborn after the shooting and years later would become a born-again Christian.
    Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, 9 June 2019
  • In his mid-40s, Mr. Phillips had quietly become a born-again Christian after attending a Billy Graham rally.
    James R. Hagerty, WSJ, 18 Jan. 2019
Adjective
  • In addition to banking on inviting celebrities and the intrinsic attractiveness of Lake Como as a luxury destination, the club’s new management also pressed on key partnerships and collaborations with the fashion industry in its brand building.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 30 July 2025
  • With mixed evidence that AI enhances productivity or solves problems, instructors should consider how to expose students to AI tools that can help develop intrinsic motivation toward using the technology.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • The essence of the review is evaluation, which of course doesn’t imply the crude simplicity of a thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
  • Oil prices have been soft this year, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures off about 9% per barrel, and Brent crude futures down 8%.
    Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • This serene beach on the uninhabited island of Culebrita exceeds expectations with its remote location and rugged landscape.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 27 July 2025
  • Then there is Canada and Greenland’s beef over the uninhabited Hans Island, a barren spit in the Kennedy Channel.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • In 2025, personal touch and human logic are vital for combating the fatigue often associated with a lack of genuine connection.
    Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2025
  • That is the only way Trump can be a genuine peacemaker in the Middle East.
    ZAHA HASSAN, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • But other Fountain Square residents and business owners believe the city waited far too long to close the Leonard Street camp, after months of complaints about human and animal waste, public intoxication and trespassing near a prime commercial district.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 31 July 2025
  • Their hairs can also irritate human skin on contact.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Carlson said he's seen a lot of online comments on posts about his new record claiming the fish's weight seems impossible and bow fishing being illegitimate.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • However, in past few years, the European Union has focused its attention on regulating activities in freeports, especially after increasing instances of use of these freeports, including those in Switzerland and Geneva, for illegitimate activities.
    Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Natural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/natural. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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