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Synonyms

abnormality

American  
[ab-nawr-mal-i-tee] / ˌæb nɔrˈmæl ɪ ti /

noun

  • abnormalities
    plural
  1. an abnormal condition, state, or quality; irregularity; deviation.

    Synonyms:
    idiosyncrasy, oddity, peculiarity, aberration, anomaly
  2. an abnormal thing or event.


abnormality British  
/ ˌæbnɔːˈmælɪtɪ /

noun

  1. an abnormal feature, event, etc

  2. a physical malformation; deformity

  3. deviation from the typical or usual; irregularity

"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

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of abnormality

First recorded in 1850–55; abnormal + -ity

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.

See Examples For:

Taken together, the researchers say these findings suggest that this metabolic abnormality may actively contribute to Alzheimer's disease rather than simply occur as a consequence of it.

From Science Daily Jun. 10, 2026

It will facilitate the development of bespoke therapies that target a specific problem, such as a genetic abnormality, that causes severely debilitating or life-threatening diseases.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 23, 2026

“There is an abnormality with this trial and how the competitor product has done, it’s neither in their label or their own trials.”

From MarketWatch Feb. 23, 2026

Lang told Cormier the abnormality was slight and bore no relation to her symptoms, so she shouldn't worry about it.

From BBC Jan. 10, 2026

The abnormality consists of the loss of part of a chromosome.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Experts later determined she suffered from severe anemia; blood clots in both wings and one kidney; liver and lung abnormalities; and inadequate bone marrow response.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 14, 2026

No immediate abnormalities were recorded at nuclear power plants, the Nuclear Regulation Authority said.

From Barron's Jul. 28, 2026

The indictment cites one student athlete whose test Finkelstein signed off as normal, despite indications of potential heart abnormalities.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 25, 2026

It provides a shock to either restart the heart if it stops beating, or to jolt it back into a regular rhythm if abnormalities are detected.

From BBC Jun. 8, 2026

In 2006, some seven hundred new mothers found out that doctors had taken their placentas without consent to test for abnormalities that might help the hospital defend itself against future lawsuits over birth defects.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

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