ATYPICAL Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

atypical

adjective

(ˌ)ā-ˈti-pi-kəl

Definition of atypical

as in unusual

being out of the ordinary the postal service delivered the package with atypical speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in abnormal

departing from some accepted standard of what is normal since that's an atypical response for an infant, you might want to have her hearing tested

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of atypical Elizabeth Taylor got ready in atypical fashion, almost backwards. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2026 In that setting, Galloway’s performance during the solo section is more more athletic than the lead guitar part, a tactic which is a tad atypical in country. — Tom Roland, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2026 Cazares’ far-off next court date, not until 2028, is not atypical, Meinecke said, given the backlog of cases in the fallout of the blitz. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 The prosecution’s experts disagreed, saying Clancy’s description of the voice was atypical of auditory hallucinations. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atypical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atypical

Adjective

The team now points to interactions between manganese and ytterbium as a possible source of the unusual Hall response.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
The unusual diplomatic rebuke underscored the mistrust between the two countries.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

Storm surges -- abnormal rise in sea level caused by storms -- could reach 7 feet in parts of the Mississippi and Alabama coasts, and up to 5 feet on the western Florida panhandle.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
While one form, or isomer, of thalidomide has a sedative effect, the other is thought to cause abnormal physiological development.

— Sajish Mathew, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of abnormal

Adjective

This keeps the performance informal and keeps the narrative — a staggering odyssey of injustices, abuses, travel adventures, extraordinary coincidences, losses, reunions, reflections and self-analysis — from becoming sensationalized.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Guadagnino speaks in calligraphy; adjectives almost certainly accompany a proper name — the extraordinary, the wonderful, the genius.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

The California Department of Public Health said animals with rabies will often have strange or unnatural behavior.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Generated by an internal large language model (LLM), OpenAI’s proof relies on an approach that many experts find unnatural.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of unnatural

Adjective

Her career demonstrates extraordinary range, an exceptional level of acting and at the same time, a very special connection with audiences.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Nonetheless, the association of Nike with exceptional athletes remains a litmus test for relevance, consumer sentiment, and brand equity — all metrics Hill should be working toward as part of his ongoing brand turnaround.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Adjective

Beat shows how so many of the sounds that were prevalent in the mid-’90s contained a unique, end-of-the century sadness.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
Instead, the self-regulating organization takes the day-to-day lead in devising standards, conducting oversight, enforcing rules, and punishing bad actors, drawing on its business members’ unique knowledge and real-world expertise.

— William R. Gruver, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

Children—a rare sight at Trancoso’s small, intimate pousadas but welcome here—are kept busy by a discreet army of private nannies and hotel monitors.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Because Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from the case, an eight-person bench will decide the case for the Supreme Court, leaving open the possibility of a rare 4-4 deadlock.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

This way of thinking is not uncommon, and it’s not limited to film criticism.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
Police noted that mountain lions are not uncommon near the Stanislaus River and other rural pockets around Oakdale but urged residents to stay alert – especially overnight and around dawn and dusk.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of uncommon

Browse Nearby Words

atwitter

atypical

atypically

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Cite this Entry

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“Atypical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atypical. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of atypical

adjective

Example Sentences

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