Synonyms of irregular

irregular 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈre-gyə-lər 

1

as in abnormal

departing from some accepted standard of what is normal

it was a bank customer's slightly irregular behavior that made people suspicious

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abnormal
• unnatural
• unusual
• anomalous
• atypical
• uncommon
• aberrant
• deviant
• untypical
• odd
• extraordinary
• deviate
• aberrational
• devious
• eccentric
• bizarre
• strange
• weird
• unconventional
• unrepresentative
• peculiar
• funny
• rare
• curious
• remarkable
• idiosyncratic
• unwonted
• screwy
• quirky
• wacky
• unorthodox
• kinky
• quaint
• freakish
• out-of-the-way
• outlandish
• preternatural
• queer
• uncustomary
• nonconformist
• wild
• outré
• way-out
• queerish
• far-out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• normal
• regular
• typical
• natural
• standard
• ordinary
• common
• familiar
• routine
• everyday
• commonplace
• usual
• customary
• unremarkable
• characteristic
• average
• unexceptional
• run-of-the-mill
• run-of-the-mine
• workaday
• representative
• archetypal
• wonted

2

as in sporadic

lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence

irregular mail delivery to the island

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sporadic
• occasional
• intermittent
• sudden
• erratic
• discontinuous
• unpredictable
• violent
• unsteady
• casual
• spasmodic
• spastic
• aperiodic
• fitful
• episodic
• spotty
• volatile
• choppy
• random
• catchy
• haphazard
• fragmentary
• scattered
• changing
• changeful
• varying
• interrupted
• broken
• arbitrary
• unstable
• uncertain
• convulsive
• odd
• aimless
• disconnected
• stray
• capricious
• fluctuating
• unsettled
• variable
• inconstant
• desultory
• mutable
• mercurial
• slapdash
• changeable
• fluid
• temperamental
• hit-or-miss
• hit-and-miss
• fickle
• wavering
• flickery

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuous
• regular
• periodic
• constant
• habitual
• steady
• uniform
• stable
• repeated
• stationary
• even
• systematic
• unchanging
• orderly
• equable
• changeless
• methodical
• unvarying
• unrelenting
• unremitting
• unwavering

3

as in uneven

not having a level or smooth surface

although the moon looks smooth from here, it actually has a very bumpy and irregular surface

Synonyms & Similar Words

• uneven
• jagged
• rough
• rugged
• broken
• ragged
• wavy
• lumpy
• coarse
• bumpy
• roughened
• pebbly
• scraggy
• unbalanced
• lopsided
• undulating
• inexact
• undulatory
• rutted
• harsh
• unaligned
• nonuniform
• pitted
• knobby
• pocked
• knobbly
• scratchy
• nubby
• rutty
• scraggly
• knurled
• nubbly
• sandpapery
• burred
• knurly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• smooth
• flat
• regular
• uniform
• level
• even
• exact
• true
• vertical
• aligned
• horizontal
• plane
• straight
• tabular
• plumb
• flush

4

as in informal

not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules

the request is irregular, but I'll allow it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• informal
• unconventional
• unorthodox
• unceremonious
• unofficial
• heterodox
• unauthorized
• casual
• relaxed
• lax
• familiar
• free and easy
• easygoing
• loose
• offhand
• ultracasual

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regular
• conventional
• formal
• routine
• ceremonial
• orthodox
• proper
• correct
• rigid
• ceremonious
• stiff
• restrained
• decorous
• constrained
• inhibited
• stuffy
• uptight

5

as in changing

not staying constant

irregular gusts of wind

Synonyms & Similar Words

• changing
• uneven
• varying
• unequal
• unstable
• changeful
• volatile
• erratic
• inconsistent
• fluctuating
• unsteady
• variable
• uncertain
• capricious
• changeable
• mercurial
• unsettled
• inconstant
• fluid
• fickle
• mutable
• choppy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• constant
• stable
• steady
• regular
• unchanging
• unvarying
• changeless

irregular

2 of 2

noun

as in guerrilla

Related Words

• guerrilla
• paramilitary
• soldier
• regular
• counterguerrilla
• warrior
• partisan
• serviceman
• trooper
• legionary
• cavalier
• legionnaire
• fighter
• dragoon
• cavalryman
• marine
• dogface
• foot soldier
• infantryman
• man-at-arms
• cuirassier
• raider
• doughboy
• servicewoman
• grunt
• commando
• footman
• ranger
• artilleryman
• carabineer
• musketeer
• rifleman
• archer
• cannoneer
• jarhead
• gunner
• mortarman
• crossbowman

Dissimilar Words

• civilian
• noncombatant

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

Recent Examples of irregular

Adjective

Their goal was to test the leading theory, first put forward in the 1980s, that turbulence — the irregular motion of air currents in the atmosphere — caused shadow bands. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

The study also linked heavier non-schoolwork screen use to irregular sleep routines, weight concerns and weaker peer support. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2026

Noun

As fighting raged in 1948 between Arab armies, Palestinian irregulars and Zionist forces, Mariam and her family fled to a Palestinian farming village, Umm al-Fahem. — Isabel Kershner, BostonGlobe.com, 22 July 2023

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