Definition of regularnext
1
2
3
4
5

regular

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective regular differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of regular are natural, normal, and typical. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.

the club's regular monthly meeting

In what contexts can natural take the place of regular?

The words natural and regular are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, natural applies to what conforms to a thing's essential nature, function, or mode of being.

the natural love of a mother for her child

When is it sensible to use normal instead of regular?

While in some cases nearly identical to regular, normal implies lack of deviation from what has been discovered or established as the most usual or expected.

normal behavior for a two-year-old

When would typical be a good substitute for regular?

The synonyms typical and regular are sometimes interchangeable, but typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.

a typical small town

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 regular
Adjective
Still, San Diego remains in the ninth and final playoff position in the Western Conference, adding importance to each match as the regular season enters its final stretch. Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026 Distributed to theaters throughout the state, the fake newsreels were mixed in with the regular newsreel issues on the motion picture program. Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
Native fighters killed more than 900 regulars and militiamen and wounded 276 others. Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2026 Sarah Paulson as Aileen Wuornos Sarah Paulson, a Murphy production regular, appears in Monster as Aileen Wuornos, a real-life serial killer who was found guilty of six murders committed between 1989 and 1990. Katie Mather, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for regular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regular
Adjective
  • More frequent and severe natural disasters, along with tariffs and inflation in the broader economy, have contributed to rising prices.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • One of the park’s most frequent visitors is the 77 student-athletes on the Eagle High School Mountain Biking Team, coached by Tanya Jacquot and Karen Headings, who both spoke during the public hearing.
    Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • This systematic integration of DPI means that a small-scale weaver in India or an artisan in Egypt can plug directly into a multi-nation marketplace without navigating complex Western banking rails.
    Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • There is a seductive argument for a more systematic approach in the interests of greater consistency, but the issue rarely arises and gets lost among more pressing matters.
    Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The formal rooms have also been adapted to contemporary life.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The decision to construct the film around precisely five-minute takes presents a formidable formal and technical challenge.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • During the recent session, Soto taught people how to make coils for teardrop designs along with other simple shapes.
    Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The simplest distinction is powered flight versus unpowered glide.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Difficult or disruptive events can create opportunities to enact changes or policies that would be hard to implement during normal times.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • According to the investigation, the shooting began as a road-rage dispute between the garbage truck driver, who was performing his normal route, and occupants of a white box truck that was blocking the roadway, the release stated.
    Keily Alfonzo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The attack comes a day after a roadside bomb struck a security forces convoy in the northwestern Hangu district and killed six soldiers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Latin became the language of administration in the western half of the empire—the language used by politicians, soldiers, and intellectuals.
    Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Cats make wonderful friends and, for the witchy folks among us, maybe even familiars.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
  • The cast also includes franchise familiars Courteney Cox, Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Welcome to The Athletic’s data notebook, a periodic look at the key trends, standout figures and tactical quirks shaping the Premier League season.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Other features of levees, like floodwalls, pump stations and pipes, also require periodic maintenance and upgrades.
    Kaleigh Yost, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Regular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regular. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster