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atypical

adjective
atyp·​i·​cal | \ (ˌ)ā-ˈti-pi-kəl How to pronounce atypical (audio) \

Definition of atypical

1 : not typical : irregular, unusual an atypical form of a disease atypical weather for this area
2 medical : relating to or being an antipsychotic drug (such as risperidone) that tends to produce fewer adverse side effects on movement (such as dyskinesia) than previously used antipsychotic drugs (such as haloperidol) Atypical antipsychotics work more precisely, manipulating both dopamine and serotonin and suppressing symptoms without causing so many associated problems.— Jeffrey Kluger
Other Words from atypical Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about atypical

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Other Words from atypical

atypicality \ ˌā-​ˌti-​pə-​ˈka-​lə-​tē How to pronounce atypicality (audio) \ noun, plural atypicalities
atypically \ (ˌ)ā-​ˈti-​pi-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce atypically (audio) \ adverb

Examples of atypical in a Sentence

the postal service delivered the package with atypical speed since that's an atypical response for an infant, you might want to have her hearing tested

Recent Examples on the Web

 Krigbaum is an atypical but effective fullback and linebacker. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "2019 Imperial Valley League prep football preview," 16 Aug. 2019 That will allow for a much wider number of cases — potentially an additional 300 — to go down this atypical path, Choi added. — Sarah Horner, Twin Cities, "New Ramsey County program would give more offenders a second chance," 19 Aug. 2019 For all its loaded potential to evolve into a gripping look at life in a correctional facility plus an atypical spin on gay longing, the film squanders much of its running time with thin, repetitive scenes of young men behaving badly. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: ‘Ladyworld’ with Maya Hawke,’ plus Bud doc ‘Kings of Beer,’ ‘Consequences’ and ‘Moop’," 1 Aug. 2019 While this is an atypical use of guardianship, Berlin said, families have a strong legal basis for bringing the cases. — Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica, "Parents Are Giving Up Custody of Their Kids to Get Need-Based College Financial Aid," 29 July 2019 In part, that’s because the playwright has made the monologue shared by Gina (Duncan), whose atypical misdeed as a kid got her sent to prison, so compelling. — Christine Dolen, sun-sentinel.com, "Review: ‘She Shorts’ puts women in the spotlight," 15 July 2019 However, even Flint’s highest levels were not atypical for water systems that have problems. — Laura Pangallozzi, The Conversation, "At least 2% of US public water systems are like Flint’s – Americans just don’t hear about them," 10 July 2019 Her trailer park is atypical — it's filled with celebrities, most of them an integral part of LGBTQ visibility. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Taylor Swift releases star-studded video for "You Need To Calm Down," challenging anti-LGBTQ beliefs," 17 June 2019 If the properties of this universe still seem atypical even in the habitable subset, then the multiverse explanation fails. — Quanta Magazine, "In a Multiverse, What Are the Odds?," 3 Nov. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'atypical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of atypical

1845, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for atypical

see typical

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More Definitions for atypical

atypical

adjective
How to pronounce atypical (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of atypical

: not typical : not usual or normal

See the full definition for atypical in the English Language Learners Dictionary

atypical

adjective
atyp·​i·​cal | \ ˈā-ˈti-pi-kəl How to pronounce atypical (audio) \

Kids Definition of atypical

: not usual or normal: not typical an atypical case

Other Words from atypical

atypically adverb

atypical

adjective
atyp·​i·​cal | \ (ˈ)ā-ˈtip-i-kəl How to pronounce atypical (audio) \

Medical Definition of atypical

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not typical : not like the usual or normal type The procedure, ductal lavage, washes cells from the milk ducts, where 95 percent of breast cancers start. Tests can then be performed to look for atypical or abnormal cells.— Judith Groch, The New York Times, 20 Nov. 2001 The results of treatment of patients with gallstones are less successful in individuals with atypical pain patterns or painless dyspepsia … — The Journal of the American Medical Association, 24 Feb. 1993 In some patients with atypical dysgenesis, the smear may show slight proliferation.— George L Wied et al., Compendium on Diagnostic Cytolo

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