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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word irregular distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words anomalous and unnatural are common synonyms of irregular. While all three words mean "not conforming to rule, law, or custom," irregular implies not conforming to a law or regulation imposed for the sake of uniformity in method, practice, or conduct.

concerned about his irregular behavior

When would anomalous be a good substitute for irregular?

Although the words anomalous and irregular have much in common, anomalous implies not conforming to what might be expected because of the class or type to which it belongs or the laws that govern its existence.

her drive made her an anomalous figure in a sleepy organization

When could unnatural be used to replace irregular?

The meanings of unnatural and irregular largely overlap; however, unnatural suggests what is contrary to nature or to principles or standards felt to be essential to the well-being of civilized society.

prisoners treated with unnatural cruelty

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of irregular
Adjective
Astrophysicists have long thought that large spiral galaxies like the Milky Way form over several billion years in a chaotic process and initially form irregular shapes. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025 These tools are particularly effective among hourly and gig workers navigating irregular pay schedules, offering an alternative to high-cost BNPL fintechs or payday loans. Nandan Sheth, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
Pakistani irregulars invaded, India intervened, and the two countries fought to a stalemate. Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2019 Somehow the regulars don’t seem to mind all the irregulars who come to gawk. Joshua Levine, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2019 See All Example Sentences for irregular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irregular
Adjective
  • Symptoms of the condition can include shortness of breath, a sudden drop in blood pressure, an abnormal heart rate, and bleeding from the uterus, C-section, or IV sites.
    Korin Miller, SELF, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Tau tangles are also implicated in other neurological diseases such as frontal lobe dementia, or FTD, and Lewy body dementia in which abnormal clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein accumulate in the brain’s neurons.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the absence of The Rock—the catalyst of this entire turn—throughout the entire build of WrestleMania, mixed with the sporadic appearances from Cena, hurt the storytelling of what could have been a deeply complex villain.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Justin Turner has been among those helping Workman navigate his first experience with life in the big leagues and sporadic playing time.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But with the addition of meaty tires, the result is bobbling side to side on uneven pavement, and the occasional entertaining hop over water channels at boulevard intersections.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The formula combines powerful but gentle ingredients like tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide to tackle dark spots, acne scars, and uneven tone.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • When the executive order goes into effect, de minimis packages from China will be subject to an informal entry process, and each package that travels to the U.S. via international post will now be subject to a tariff rate of 120 percent or $100, a rate that will increase to $200 after June 1.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • What exactly are the rules for saving seats at an informal event where seats are not assigned? Related Articles Miss Manners: Heroes?
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In an alternative '90s, dark waters from the underground scientific facility have risen to flood the town and deliver a menagerie of natural and unnatural nightmares.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • In this type of thinking, the desire to be alone is seen as unnatural and unhealthy, something to be pitied or feared rather than valued or encouraged.
    Virginia Thomas, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The house that the Americans strategically position themselves in is home to two families; there are occasional insert shots of family photos and trinkets, and at several points these families are shown cowering, terrified by what’s happening around them.
    Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2025
  • In general, bigleaf hydrangeas require little pruning, save for occasional shaping and thinning.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Boulders offer a jagged look For a rugged look, consider a retaining wall made from large boulders.
    Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025
  • All those letters are real, and all those jagged lines were the work of scissors.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The mill embraces the beauty of imperfection and asymmetry in Chaos Aesthetics, a trend concept that favors expressive textures, unconventional finishes and rich tactile experiences.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The generational gap in honesty found in the survey comes amid a broader trend of unconventional job-search behaviors among younger candidates, including ghosting employers and abandoning the hiring process midway.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Irregular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irregular. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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