Logo
dictionary thesaurus

anomalous

adjective
anom·​a·​lous | \ ə-ˈnä-mə-ləs How to pronounce anomalous (audio) \

Definition of anomalous

1 : inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected : irregular, unusual Researchers could not explain the anomalous test results.
2a : of uncertain nature or classification an anomalous figure in the world of politics
b : marked by incongruity or contradiction : paradoxical
Other Words from anomalous Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about anomalous

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from anomalous

anomalously adverb
anomalousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for anomalous

irregular, anomalous, unnatural mean not conforming to rule, law, or custom. irregular implies not conforming to a law or regulation imposed for the sake of uniformity in method, practice, or conduct. concerned about his irregular behavior anomalous implies not conforming to what might be expected because of the class or type to which it belongs or the laws that govern its existence. her drive made her an anomalous figure in a sleepy organization unnatural suggests what is contrary to nature or to principles or standards felt to be essential to the well-being of civilized society. prisoners treated with unnatural cruelty

Examples of anomalous in a Sentence

Researchers could not explain the anomalous test results. that was an anomalous year for the housing industry, so the number of starts is anything but typical When you’re a child, everything local is famous. On that principle, Hoyt-Schermerhorn was the most famous subway station in the world. It was the first subway station I knew, and it took years for me to disentangle my primal fascination with its status as a functional ruin, an indifferent home to clockwork chaos, from the fact that it was, in objective measure, an anomalous place. Personal impressions and neighborhood lore swirled in my exaggerated regard. In fact the place was cool and weird beyond my obsession’s parameters, cooler and weirder than most subway stations anyway. —“Speak, Hoyt-Schermerhorn” P. 73, Jonathan Lethem, HARPER’S MAGAZINE Vol. 309 No. 1855, December 2004 A whole raft of species prefer living in this type of comfortable, settled, old forest, says Spaulding, which means that Borestone supports a unique variety of life, a bunch of animals not necessarily common to the area. Even the rocks and ponds are a bit anomalous for the Maine woods. It's just the kind of rarity and diversity you might expect in an Audubon sanctuary–especially one that comprises more than half of the society's total acreage in the state. —"Borestone Mountain hideaway" P. 70, Andrew Vietze, DOWN EAST Vol. 50 No. 2, September 2003 London was more of an agglutination than any kind of classical construction, buildings stuck together and clotted as a mass of swallows’ or bats’ nests. The many official attempts in the first decade of the century to clarify and cleanse the city, to impose order and uniformity on its bubbling and anomalous being, repeatedly failed. This animal aspect of London was always too powerful. —“Two” P. 24, GOD’S SECRETARIES, Adam Nicolson, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., 220.5 N54g ©2003 Many regions in Italy insist on the differences and integrity of local cuisine, scoffing at tourist restaurants that will serve a dish as anomalous as "spaghetti bolognese," mixing tropes of north and south with appalling familiarity. But Trieste cooks as it lives—in a simmering melting pot. —"Pursuits & Retreats" P. 83, John Donatich, THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY Vol. 289 No. 6, June 2002 The book explores scientific evidence on altered states of consciousness associated with mystical experiences, near-death incidents, alien-abduction reports, and other so-called anomalous events. —"Into the Mystic" P. 104, Bruce Bower, SCIENCE NEWS Vol. 159 No. 7, February 17, 2001 There are different red/green colour deficiencies, though. The most common, which affects some five per cent of men, is 'defective' green vision - deuteranomalous trichromatism. Translated, that means normal colour vision ( trichromatism) affected by problems (anomalous) in the middle, green wavelength (deuter). —"Life: Life&Soul: Health: Hue and cry: Is severe colour-blindness a handicap or just a different way of seeing the world? Peter Silverton reports on his sons' 'colour deficiency'", Pg. 39, BYLINE: Peter Silverton, THE OBSERVER [NEXIS], Copyright 2001 Guardian Newspapers Limited, July 1, 2001
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 These include live telemetry that detect anomalous patterns, and an approach to permissions that focuses on application IDs rather than signals that may be losing relevance. — Polina Marinova, Fortune, "Who Would Dare to Compete With Silicon Valley Darling Brex?: Term Sheet," 9 Aug. 2019 Mapping data can then be run through software to detect anomalous undersea structures, like ship hulls, superstructures, and gun turrets, identifying possible wrecks. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Are We Entering a Golden Age of Shipwreck Discovery?," 1 Aug. 2019 The blame for this falls squarely at the feet of Nancy Pelosi, who for all intents and purposes, with respect to Donald Trump and co., is dead set on portraying the anomalous as much ado about nothing. — Michael Arceneaux, Essence, "Opinion: Will Nancy Pelosi Finally Do Something About Donald Trump’s Abuse Of Power?," 25 July 2019 Praetorius looked anomalous and gave a one-dimensional performance with stock gestures meant to show vengeful anger. — Robert Greskovic, WSJ, "‘The Bournonville Legacy’ Review: Excerpts From a Ballet Master," 11 July 2019 The result appears to confirm the anomalous results of a decades-old experiment that MiniBooNE was built specifically to double-check. — Quanta Magazine, "Evidence Found for a New Fundamental Particle," 1 June 2018 If Lelling’s claim sounds anomalous to you, no wonder. — Kevin Baker, Harper's magazine, "What We Do in the Shadows," 24 June 2019 The team discovered the anomalous blob by combining data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory, or GRAIL, mission with topography from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. — National Geographic, "Huge mystery blob found under the moon's far side," 11 June 2019 In view of the unprecedented magnitude of impending structural federal budget deficits, along with an unemployment rate that is likely below the sustainable rate (thus auguring rising inflation), the current Treasury bond yield appears anomalous. — WSJ, "A Looming Recession? Look at Interest Rates," 3 Oct. 2018

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

See More

First Known Use of anomalous

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for anomalous

Late Latin anomalus, from Greek anōmalos, literally, uneven, from a- + homalos even, from homos same — more at same

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for anomalous

anomalous

adjective
How to pronounce anomalous (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of anomalous

somewhat formal : not expected or usual

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

anomalous

adjective
anom·​a·​lous | \ ə-ˈnä-mə-ləs How to pronounce anomalous (audio) \

Kids Definition of anomalous

WORD OF THE DAY

convivial

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!