unnatural
Against typical patterns
Unnatural describes what deviates from nature or normal expectations.
An unnatural death results from violence or accident rather than disease or old age.
Unnatural behavior seems forced, artificial, or contrary to instinct: Her smile looked unnatural.
The word often carries moral judgment—what's unnatural is implicitly wrong or disturbing.
Historically used to condemn homosexuality, though this usage has declined as social attitudes shifted.
Falsely grand or important
- stiltedUnnaturally formal in expression
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- feignedFalsely displayed or simulated
- insincereFeigning belief or feeling
theatrical · mannered · strained · labored · artificial · put-on · studied · self-conscious
Produced artificially, not natural
- plasticCapable of being molded
- man-madeCreated by humans
- fabricatedInvented, not real
- manufacturedMade by machinery
processed · engineered · simulated · imitation · faux · fake · chemical · industrial
Unusual or unfamiliar
- weirdStrangely unsettling
- abnormalDeviating from typical
- anomalousDeviating from expected norms
- freakishStrangely abnormal, disturbing
peculiar · odd · grotesque · deviant · aberrant · monstrous · mutant · deformed
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- man-madeCreated by humans
- industrialOf factories and production
- toxicCapable of causing harm
chemical · synthetic · pesticides · deforestation · urbanization · monoculture · concrete · overdeveloped
Eerily beyond normal
- creepyDisturbingly strange
- unsettlingCausing unease or discomfort
- ghostlyResembling a specter
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
haunting · sinister · ominous · chilling · macabre · spooky · disquieting · inhuman
Beyond scientific explanation
- otherworldlySeemingly not earthly
- magicalPossessing supernatural power
- miraculousSeemingly impossible yet real
- inexplicableCannot be accounted for
mystical · occult · unearthly · transcendent · metaphysical · enchanted · bewitched · cursed
pretentious
Falsely grand or important
- stiltedUnnaturally formal in expression
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- feignedFalsely displayed or simulated
insincere · theatrical · mannered · strained · labored · artificial · put-on · studied · self-conscious · wooden
synthetic
Produced artificially, not natural
- plasticCapable of being molded
- man-madeCreated by humans
- fabricatedInvented, not real
manufactured · processed · engineered · simulated · imitation · faux · fake · chemical · industrial · GMO
strange
Unusual or unfamiliar
freakish · peculiar · odd · grotesque · deviant · aberrant · monstrous · mutant · deformed · distorted
pollution
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- man-madeCreated by humans
- industrialOf factories and production
toxic · chemical · synthetic · pesticides · deforestation · urbanization · monoculture · concrete · overdeveloped · landscaped
uncanny
Eerily beyond normal
- creepyDisturbingly strange
- unsettlingCausing unease or discomfort
- ghostlyResembling a specter
spectral · haunting · sinister · ominous · chilling · macabre · spooky · disquieting · inhuman · lifeless
paranormal
Beyond scientific explanation
- otherworldlySeemingly not earthly
- magicalPossessing supernatural power
- miraculousSeemingly impossible yet real
inexplicable · mystical · occult · unearthly · transcendent · metaphysical · enchanted · bewitched · cursed · possessed
unnaturalnatural
Not artificially produced
organic · spontaneous · innate · inborn · native
- unnatural acts
- unnatural selectionHuman-directed evolutionary pressure