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subnormal
adjective
sub·nor·mal
ˌsəb-ˈnȯr-məl
1
: lower or smaller than normal
2
: having less of something and especially of intelligence than is normal
Synonyms
Examples of subnormal in a Sentence
subnormal levels of vitamin C
people who are subnormal in insulin production
Recent Examples on the Web
Quite simply, normal human consciousness is optimized for normal human functioning, but is subnormal for achieving goals beyond the ordinary.
—Brett Steenbarger, Forbes, 30 May 2021
Flow off the 50-degree waters of Lake Michigan will bring our first subnormal temperatures in 10 days.
—Tom Skilling, chicagotribune.com, 31 May 2018
Snow flurries could last into Monday, the cold staying through Tuesday with a temperature rebound of sorts into the still subnormal 50s by the middle of next week.
—Tom Skilling, chicagotribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018
An amplified jet stream pattern that has brought subnormal temperatures to eastern portions of North America and unseasonable warmth to the West is forecast to continue much of the workweek.
—Tom Skilling, chicagotribune.com, 11 Dec. 2017
Sunday marked our fifth straight day of subnormal readings.
—Tom Skilling, chicagotribune.com, 27 Aug. 2017
Resulting northwest wind flow will bring to the area temperatures more typical of mid-May, making this the only weekend this month with subnormal readings.
—Tom Skilling, chicagotribune.com, 23 June 2017
Everybody knew that comics were for children and for intellectually subnormal people, whereas graphic novel sounds like a much more sophisticated proposition.
—Adam Rogers, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2009
Another day of subnormal temperatures is slated for Monday before winds shift to a west-to-east orientation.
—Tom Skilling, chicagotribune.com, 25 June 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subnormal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near subnormal
Cite this Entry
“Subnormal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subnormal. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
subnormal
adjective
sub·nor·mal
ˌsəb-ˈnȯr-məl
ˈsəb-
: being lower, smaller, or less than what is considered normal
subnormal temperatures
Medical Definition
subnormal
adjective
sub·nor·mal
ˌsəb-ˈnȯr-məl
1
: lower or smaller than normal
a subnormal temperature
2
: having less of something and especially of intelligence than is normal
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