asymmetrical

adjective

asym·​met·​ri·​cal ˌā-sə-ˈme-tri-kəl How to pronounce asymmetrical (audio)
variants or asymmetric
1
: having two sides or halves that are not the same : not symmetrical
an asymmetrical design
asymmetrical shapes
2
usually asymmetric of a carbon atom : bonded to four different atoms or groups
asymmetrically adverb

Examples of asymmetrical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wright designed his house in the shingle style, a then-popular East Coast design characterized by an asymmetrical facade, large veranda, and wood shingles. AFAR Media, 14 July 2025 The revelation is also viewed as emblematic of an asymmetrical labor-management relationship. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 July 2025 Having finagled an invite from Prater’s steely assistant, Charley (Uma Thurman, sporting an asymmetrical bob and a disgusted glower), Dexter infiltrates the group looking for villains to bring to his kill table. EW.com, 10 July 2025 Hoping to learn more, the authors of the new study analyzed around 130 volcanic rocks from Afar and the Main Ethiopian Rift and used mathematical models to reveal that the region’s plume is asymmetrical and striped, with different bands of different chemical components. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for asymmetrical

Word History

Etymology

Greek asymmetria lack of proportion, from asymmetros ill-proportioned, from a- + symmetros symmetrical

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of asymmetrical was in 1690

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Asymmetrical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asymmetrical. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

asymmetrical

adjective
asym·​met·​ri·​cal ˌā-sə-ˈme-tri-kəl How to pronounce asymmetrical (audio)
variants or asymmetric
: not symmetrical
asymmetrically adverb
asymmetry noun

Medical Definition

asymmetrical

adjective
asym·​met·​ri·​cal ˌā-sə-ˈme-tri-kəl How to pronounce asymmetrical (audio)
variants or asymmetric
1
: not symmetrical
2
usually asymmetric, of a carbon atom : bonded to four different atoms or groups
asymmetrically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on asymmetrical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!