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Definition of irregularnext
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irregular

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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

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
Physical symptoms can include feeling dizzy or faint; being cold all the time; and irregular menstrual periods. Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Mar. 2026 Then, in the early 2000s, the eruptions started to wane, becoming more and more irregular. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026
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
  • Look for choppy sentences, unusual inflections, abnormal phrasing, or incongruent background noise.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
  • And their response to her is like, maybe that’s not abnormal [for Jackie].
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The system recorded 15 sporadic eruptions between October 2010 and January 2011, and eruptions remained few and far between until October 2017.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
  • But this follows the introduction of the iPhone 16e last year, a departure from the sporadic releases of its previous budget smartphone, the SE line.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Heating elements must survive high temperatures, constant airflow and uneven heat distribution.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
  • But employer coverage of obesity drugs remains uneven due to high costs, leaving roughly half of people with commercial insurance unable to start or stay on treatment, Lilly said in a release.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The massive spread includes several formal and informal gathering spaces, with the gleaming chef’s kitchen serving as the heart of the home.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2026
  • National Snack Day was established in 2016 by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, who has invented more than two-dozen informal holidays, Days of the Year said.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In some studies, gloves not changed between tasks had higher bacterial counts and could transfer germs just as easily as ungloved hands, underscoring the need for frequent changing and proper hand hygiene.
    Evan Moore December 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • The guerrillas agreed to lay down their weapons, face justice, and compensate their victims in exchange for political guarantees and government promises to develop poor, rural areas that gave rise to the FARC in the 1960s.
    John Otis, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Colombia’s government has struggled to contain drug traffickers and rebel groups that are now fighting over territory abandoned by the nation’s largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, following its 2016 peace deal with the government.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • What people fail to realize, Harding said, is that the office is an investigative body that plays a role in uncovering the cause of unnatural deaths and also protecting the public.
    Shannon Tyler March 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The film is fiercely feminist, a little punk, more than a bit surreal, leaning much heavier on absurdist romance than horror and, ultimately, an unnatural force of nature.
    Mark Meszoros, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • When the music did start, with only two band members in tow (and some occasional backing tracks), that drummer mostly used mallets, and stuck toward accents more than beats, to keep things to the hushed mode she’s known for.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Although police conduct occasional drug busts, the area remains one of the city’s largest open-air drug markets.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Irregular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irregular. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

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