anomalous
adjective
anom·a·lous ə-ˈnä-mə-ləs 
1
: inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected : irregular, unusual
Researchers could not explain the anomalous test results.
2
a
: of uncertain nature or classification
an anomalous figure in the world of politics
b
: marked by incongruity or contradiction : paradoxical
anomalously adverb
anomalousness noun
Synonyms
- aberrant
- aberrated
- abnormal
- atypical
- especial
- exceeding
- exceptional
- extraordinaire
- extraordinary
- freak
- odd
- peculiar
- phenomenal
- preternatural
- rare
- singular
- uncommon
- uncustomary
- unique
- unusual
- unwonted
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Recent Examples on the Web In other words, forecasting economic outcomes–something that was already, to say the very least, hit or miss–is virtually impossible right now because the data is so anomalous. 
Norbert Michel, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022 These companies weren’t anomalous in going public at the early stages of their growth. Josh Rutzick, WSJ, 28 July 2022 While spring came on fast with a mild March, April and May were more volatile with bouts of both anomalous warmth and much cooler-than-normal conditions. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 31 May 2022 However, there is something else a bit anomalous according to tropical meteorology expert Dr. Michael Ventrice, a meteorological software engineer with DFW. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 5 July 2022 Such a modern take on wine hospitality might seem anomalous to vintners like the Adams, for whom this is their second estate. Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 26 June 2022 But in the uphill battle of her anomalous self-sufficiency, Bush did control every component: deciding where to expand or gate a sound, where to add reverb, arranging electronic instruments alongside ancient ones, producing the future. Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2022 Io's colors—and the anomalous ions hitting Krimigis's detector—came from elements blasted from the moon's volcanoes. Tim Folger, Scientific American, 18 June 2022 For its part, Roblox appears to view both the COVID-era spike and its subsequent fade as anomalous moments on an overall growth path. Rob Walker, Fortune, 3 June 2022 See More
Norbert Michel, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022 These companies weren’t anomalous in going public at the early stages of their growth. Josh Rutzick, WSJ, 28 July 2022 While spring came on fast with a mild March, April and May were more volatile with bouts of both anomalous warmth and much cooler-than-normal conditions. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 31 May 2022 However, there is something else a bit anomalous according to tropical meteorology expert Dr. Michael Ventrice, a meteorological software engineer with DFW. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 5 July 2022 Such a modern take on wine hospitality might seem anomalous to vintners like the Adams, for whom this is their second estate. Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 26 June 2022 But in the uphill battle of her anomalous self-sufficiency, Bush did control every component: deciding where to expand or gate a sound, where to add reverb, arranging electronic instruments alongside ancient ones, producing the future. Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2022 Io's colors—and the anomalous ions hitting Krimigis's detector—came from elements blasted from the moon's volcanoes. Tim Folger, Scientific American, 18 June 2022 For its part, Roblox appears to view both the COVID-era spike and its subsequent fade as anomalous moments on an overall growth path. Rob Walker, Fortune, 3 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Late Latin anomalus, from Greek anōmalos, literally, uneven, from a- + homalos even, from homos same — more at same
First Known Use
1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
anomalous
adjective
anom·a·lous ə-ˈnä-mə-ləs
: not regular or usual
anomalous test results
Medical Definition
anomalous
adjective
anom·a·lous ə-ˈnäm-ə-ləs
: deviating from normal
anomalous development
anomalous pulmonary venous drainage Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology
Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology specifically : having abnormal vision with respect to a particular color but not color-blind
she was almost red anomalous Nature
Nature anomalous
adjective
1
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary that was an anomalous year for the housing industry, so the number of starts is anything but typical Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- unusual
- extraordinary
- abnormal
- exceptional
- unique
- rare
- odd
- uncommon
- outstanding
- remarkable
- singular
- atypical
- aberrant
- exceeding
- peculiar
- incredible
- phenomenal
- freak
- noticeable
- striking
- aberrated
- uncustomary
- unwonted
- especial
- notable
- conspicuous
- bizarre
- salient
- prominent
- eccentric
- strange
- preternatural
- deviant
- extraordinaire
- weird
- freakish
- oddball
- outlandish
- inconceivable
- incomprehensible
- unthinkable
- unimaginable
- quaint
- monstrous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- normal
- ordinary
- common
- typical
- usual
- customary
- unexceptional
- unextraordinary
- familiar
- frequent
- everyday
2
as in abnormal
departing from some accepted standard of what is normal an anomalous burst of anger from this usually easygoing person Synonyms & Similar Words
- abnormal
- unnatural
- unusual
- irregular
- unusual
- atypical
- aberrant
- uncommon
- aberrational
- deviant
- odd
- extraordinary
- uncommon
- untypical
- bizarre
- odd
- extraordinary
- eccentric
- strange
- peculiar
- weird
- deviate
- unconventional
- rare
- remarkable
- strange
- unrepresentative
- devious
- peculiar
- idiosyncratic
- curious
- freakish
- funny
- rare
- outlandish
- unorthodox
- quirky
- wacky
- screwy
- outré
- whacky
- unwonted
- preternatural
- uncustomary
- kinky
- nonconformist
- quaint
- wild
- unwonted
- preternatural
- uncustomary
- queerish
- queer
- out-of-the-way
- far-out
- way-out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- normal
- typical
- natural
- regular
- ordinary
- standard
- common
- familiar
- unremarkable
- unexceptional
- commonplace
- usual
- routine
- characteristic
- everyday
- customary
- average
- run-of-the-mill
- archetypal
- run-of-the-mine
- workaday
- representative
- run-of-mine
- wonted
- archetypical
Synonym Chooser
The words irregular and unnatural are common synonyms of anomalous. While all three words mean "not conforming to rule, law, or custom," 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
Although the words irregular and anomalous have much in common, 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
The meanings of unnatural and anomalous largely overlap; however, 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