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Synonyms

unnatural

American  
[uhn-nach-er-uhl, -nach-ruhl] / ʌnˈnætʃ ər əl, -ˈnætʃ rəl /

adjective

  1. contrary to the laws or course of nature.

  2. at variance with the character or nature of a person, animal, or plant.

  3. at variance with what is normal or to be expected.

    the unnatural atmosphere of the place.
    Synonyms:
    aberrant, irregular

  4. lacking human qualities or sympathies; monstrous; inhuman.

    an obsessive and unnatural hatred.
    Synonyms:
    brutal, heartless

  5. not genuine or spontaneous; artificial or contrived.

    a stiff, unnatural manner.

  6. Obsolete. lacking a valid or natural claim; illegitimate.

unnatural British  
/ -ˈnætʃrəl, ʌnˈnætʃərəl /

adjective

  1. contrary to nature; abnormal

  2. not in accordance with accepted standards of behaviour or right and wrong

    unnatural love

  3. uncanny; supernatural

    unnatural phenomena

  4. affected or forced

    an unnatural manner

  5. inhuman or monstrous; wicked

    an unnatural crime

  6. obsolete illegitimate

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • unnaturally adverb
  • unnaturalness noun

Etymology

Origin of unnatural

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; un- 1, natural

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It sounds like your parents aren’t really a financial support beam for you anymore, which is why it feels unnatural when they foot the bill, even if it’s for a special occasion.

From MarketWatch

It could have been a penalty, but the way the Germany international went down counted against him, because it gave the impression of an unnatural fall compared to the extent of the shirt pull.

From BBC

Is it an unnatural way of challenging for a high ball?

From BBC

He adds that odd phrasing, unnatural emotional delivery, and lyrics that feel generic or repetitive can also be clues.

From BBC

Then she laughs—a gleeful, inhuman, full-throated laugh that contorts her body into unnatural angles and positions.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.