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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
Asylum seekers and irregular migrants are generally protected under various human rights conventions the U.K. and EU member states are signatory to, and in many cases courts have ruled such expulsions unlawful. Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 The drop in hormones can cause a range of symptoms, including irregular periods, hot flashes and sleep problems, along with mood changes, vaginal and bladder issues, decreased libido and bone loss. Kayla McCormick, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
As volunteer companies were raised to drive out the Mexican forces — who were occupying their own country — some of the irregulars were joined by free black men. Paula Allen, ExpressNews.com, 15 Feb. 2020 Turkish troops then began shelling Kurdish towns in Syria, and Turkish forces pushed forward, irregulars executing people in ditches along the road. Time, 14 Nov. 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
  • During her active years with WWE, which spanned from 2006 to her initial departure in 2012 and included subsequent sporadic returns for special appearances, Kelly Kelly achieved a significant milestone by capturing the WWE Divas Championship.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • These societies could survive without the sporadic acquisition of meat, anthropologists note.
    Amanda Ruggeri, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The airflow also seemed uneven, requiring trays to be rotated during the dehydrating process.
    Jordan Liberty Phillips, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2025
  • After running out of steam with the uneven 1992 sister albums Lucky Town and Human Touch, Springsteen spent most of the decade raising his kids and tentatively circling a reunion with the E Street Band while searching for new directions.
    Ryan Leas, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Bloomberg has gone so far as to report that Zaslav is in early, informal talks regarding potential successors.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The expectation has always been that the president would behave in a certain way, abiding by a generations-long yet informal agreement about the role and discretion of the administrative state.
    Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind.
    Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The body can also adapt to constant stress by staying in a heightened state of alertness, making peace feel unnatural.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Initially, MacGregor's character was supposed to make only occasional appearances, but she was promoted to series regular after her performance was so well-received.
    Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • And non-alcohol drinks are available from The New Bar, known for its zero-proof cocktails, beers, wines, and the occasional fancy soda.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The result of billions of years of micrometeorite impacts on the lunar surface and lack of water on the Moon has left this dust with jagged, razor-sharp shapes and the constant bombardment by cosmic rays has given each particle an electrostatic charge.
    David Szondy, New Atlas, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Rescue workers in other parts of the country dug through piles of twisted rebar and jagged concrete where buildings had been destroyed.
    Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • These unconventional or niche markets—whether they’re built around specific lifestyles, cultural shifts, unique services, or underserved consumer segments—can offer less competition, more loyal customers, and a sharper opportunity to stand out.
    Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Following the unconventional release of latest album Bully, the artist formerly known as Kanye West has dropped the potential tracklist for his next body of work, WW3.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Irregular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irregular. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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