unnaturalise
Definition
Verb (transitive): - To make contrary to nature: "unnaturalise" means to cause something to deviate from its natural state, character, or condition; to render it artificial, forced, or abnormal. - To make stilted or affected: It can also refer to making something (such as behaviour, speech, or appearance) unnatural, strained, or lacking in normal human feeling or spontaneity.
Usage Examples
- (To cause the appearance to deviate from its natural form.)
- (To make speech forced and unnatural.)
- (To make colours appear abnormal or contrary to nature.)
Advanced Usage
"to unnaturalise a relationship": to disrupt or distort the natural emotional bond between people.
- Years of mistrust had unnaturalised their friendship, turning warmth into cold formality. (The natural affection was replaced with an unnatural, strained connection.)
"to unnaturalise a landscape": to alter the environment in a way that removes its natural features.
- The construction of the massive dam unnaturalised the entire valley, replacing rivers with concrete channels. (The landscape was made to deviate from its original natural state.)
Variants and Related Words
- Unnatural (adj): not natural; abnormal, artificial, or contrary to the usual order of things.
- It is unnatural for a child to show no curiosity. (Abnormal or contrary to nature.)
- Unnaturalised (adj): having been made unnatural or artificial.
- Her unnaturalised smile seemed hollow and forced. (The smile was made to appear unnatural.)
- Unnaturalisation (n): the process or result of making something unnatural.
- The unnaturalisation of the forest through deforestation was irreversible. (The act of making the forest unnatural.)
Synonyms
- Denature: to deprive of natural qualities; to change the essential nature of something.
- Pervert: to lead away from what is natural or right; to distort.
- Corrupt: to cause to become morally or naturally degraded.
- Deform: to spoil the natural form or shape of something.
Antonyms
- Naturalise: to make natural; to adapt to a natural state.
- Normalise: to make something normal or natural again.
Related Idioms
- To go against the grain: to act contrary to one's natural character or inclination.
- His harsh words unnaturalised his usual gentle nature; it went against the grain. (His behaviour was made to appear unnatural compared to his typical character.)
Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "unnaturalise" is not commonly used in phrasal verbs due to its formal and rare nature.)