as in synthetic
produced by humans rather than natural processes
pure vanilla extract that was made without any nonnatural ingredients
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Recent Examples of nonnatural
Much of synthetic biology involves genetic engineering to introduce networks of genes that give cells new functions, such as manufacturing enzymes to make a nonnatural molecule.
—
Philip Ball, Scientific American, 18 Apr. 2023
The latter discipline has racked up impressive achievements in retooling cells for nonnatural tasks—for example, programming bacteria to glow in the presence of pollutants and other chemicals.
—Philip Ball, Scientific American, 18 Apr. 2023
Although some wildfires in California are ignited by lightning, a vast majority have nonnatural causes — sparks from electrical equipment, the heat of a lawn mower engine or, in the case of one of the state’s largest fires, a man hammering a stake into the ground.
—New York Times, 8 Oct. 2021
The increase in mortality has been especially stark among working-age males, with increases in death rates from alcohol, violence, and other nonnatural causes.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2023
Purified, nonnatural diets such as AIN-93, which contain refined, easy-to-digest ingredients, can lead to various abnormalities in lab mice that could affect experimental results, including a buildup of fat, a loss of normal intestinal bacteria, and a reduction in the size of the intestines.
—Mennatella Ibrahim, Science | AAAS, 17 June 2021
In several landscapes, including Lundbye’s, a distinctive nonnatural element recurs: a prehistoric stone structure of upright boulders with a capstone known as a dolmen.
—Holland Cotter, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2023
In the Bahamas, 27 U.S. citizens have died from nonnatural causes, including drownings, vehicle accidents and homicide, from January 2018 to June 2021, according to the most recent available State Department data.
—Omar Abdel-Baqui, WSJ, 9 May 2022
Only one nonnatural death of an inmate has ever been reported at the prison.
—Joseph Simonson, Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2021
Philip Ball, Scientific American, 18 Apr. 2023
The latter discipline has racked up impressive achievements in retooling cells for nonnatural tasks—for example, programming bacteria to glow in the presence of pollutants and other chemicals.
—Philip Ball, Scientific American, 18 Apr. 2023
Although some wildfires in California are ignited by lightning, a vast majority have nonnatural causes — sparks from electrical equipment, the heat of a lawn mower engine or, in the case of one of the state’s largest fires, a man hammering a stake into the ground.
—New York Times, 8 Oct. 2021
The increase in mortality has been especially stark among working-age males, with increases in death rates from alcohol, violence, and other nonnatural causes.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2023
Purified, nonnatural diets such as AIN-93, which contain refined, easy-to-digest ingredients, can lead to various abnormalities in lab mice that could affect experimental results, including a buildup of fat, a loss of normal intestinal bacteria, and a reduction in the size of the intestines.
—Mennatella Ibrahim, Science | AAAS, 17 June 2021
In several landscapes, including Lundbye’s, a distinctive nonnatural element recurs: a prehistoric stone structure of upright boulders with a capstone known as a dolmen.
—Holland Cotter, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2023
In the Bahamas, 27 U.S. citizens have died from nonnatural causes, including drownings, vehicle accidents and homicide, from January 2018 to June 2021, according to the most recent available State Department data.
—Omar Abdel-Baqui, WSJ, 9 May 2022
Only one nonnatural death of an inmate has ever been reported at the prison.
—Joseph Simonson, Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonnatural
Adjective
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But many have been moving away from synthetic dyes for years due to pressure from consumers, health advocates and bans or restrictions in states like California, Virginia and West Virginia.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
4 Aug. 2025
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Make sure your scarf is actually silk, however, and not a synthetic satin.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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No stone has been left unturned as windows of artificial buildings have curtains and flower boxes, manhole covers are set into the floor and custom scents waft through the air in each land, from warm woody notes to sweet candy aromas.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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The launch could help jumpstart sales for PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay portfolio that has come under pressure from changing consumer preferences and a crackdown on artificial ingredients.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonnatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonnatural. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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