unnaturally

Thân thiện

The actor's smile looked unnaturally wide and stiff.

Definition

Adverb 1. In a manner that is not natural or normal; in a way that seems artificial, forced, or contrary to what is expected. - Example: She smiled unnaturally, her lips stretched in a tense line. 2. To an excessive or extreme degree; in a way that exceeds normal limits. - Example: The room was unnaturally quiet after the argument. 3. Not in accordance with the laws of nature; by artificial means. - Example: The unnaturally large fruits were a result of genetic modification.

Usage Examples

• Describing artificial or forced behavior:
  • He spoke unnaturally slowly, as if choosing each word with great care.
  • Her laughter sounded unnaturally high-pitched and nervous.
• Describing an extreme or abnormal state:
  • There was an unnaturally bright glow on the horizon before the storm.
  • The city felt unnaturally empty on Sunday morning.
• Referring to artificial creation or alteration:
  • The lake's unnaturally blue color came from chemical additives.

Advanced Usage

• "Not unnaturally": A common phrase used to indicate that a reaction or feeling is entirely understandable and expected.
  • Not unnaturally, she was furious when she discovered the lie. (It was completely natural/understandable that she was furious.)
• Used to describe phenomena that defy or manipulate natural processes.
  • Scientists created an unnaturally stable form of the protein in the lab.

Variants and Related Words

• Unnatural (adjective): Not natural; artificial, affected, or abnormal.
  • Example: It was unnatural for such a young child to be so solemn.
• Natural (adjective/adverb): The direct antonym.
• Artificially (adverb): In a way that is made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally. (Note: While similar, "artificially" often focuses on human-made origins, whereas "unnaturally" can describe anything deviating from a natural state, including behavior.)

Synonyms

• Abnormally
• Artificially
• Forcedly
• Stiffly
• Preternaturally (especially for extreme degrees)

Antonyms

• Naturally
• Normally
• Genuinely
• Spontaneously

Related Phrases

• "Deathly still": While not a direct phrasal verb, "unnaturally still" is a common collocation.
  • The forest was unnaturally still, with no birdsong or rustling leaves.

Học thuật

Adverb

1. in a manner at variance with what is natural or normal
   • The early Church not unnaturally adopted the position that failure to see the messianic character of his work was really caused by the people's own blindness
2. not according to nature; not by natural means
   • artificially induced conditions
3. in an unnatural way
   • his other arm lay across his chest, unnaturally, as if placed there deliberately, for a purpose

Từ đồng nghĩa

• artificially
• by artificial means