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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

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
World-first findings on coffee and irregular heartbeat University of Adelaide and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) researchers led a randomized clinical trial of 200 adults from Australia, the US and Canada with atrial fibrillation (AF) to test coffee's impact on irregular heartbeats. New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2026 By dramatizing and diversifying its many acts of formation, Your Name Here provides its few but devoted admirers with a surprisingly moving argument for spiky, irregular, even incomplete literature. Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 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
  • The new guidance reflects the latest research showing that HPV tests, compared to Pap smears, can increase the detection of abnormal cells in the cervix that may lead to cancer.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Kickers often have an abnormal route to high-level football.
    Ren Clayton, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The study made a significant contribution, if not clarification, to this academic niche — medieval migration wasn’t seasonal, nor sporadic and intense.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Trying to keep up with tariff news, especially as a consumer who isn't necessarily an expert in economic policy, can feel like dodging sporadic jump scares.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Future work will focus on integrating snow-deposition modeling with PV yield simulations to more accurately predict energy losses and on expanding analyses to more complex, uneven alpine terrain.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The Trojans' uneven season hasn't exactly helped slow rumors either.
    Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Double islands have been used to add valuable workspace and storage in open kitchens, as well as to accommodate activities such as informal dining.
    Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) has scouts in different countries monitoring players who are eligible for them from a young age, but Nigeria’s approach is more informal.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 10 Jan. 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
  • Born in Caracas, Rodríguez is the daughter of Marxist guerrilla leader Jorge Antonio Rodríguez, a co-founder of the Socialist League.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
  • The daughter of a Marxist guerilla who rose to notoriety in the 1970s for capturing an American businessman, Rodríguez is adept at embracing contradiction in the name of political expediency.
    Ellie Austin, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind.
    Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 31 Dec. 2025
  • The handsome pair of actors play sniper specialists from enemy countries who must each take a long shift on opposite sides of a massive trench where some unnatural monsters apparently lurk below.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Not even those who, inspired by occasional bouts of yellow fever, had sure access to fleeting moments of lucidity.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Today, occasional direct ferries provide a simpler two-hour crossing.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Irregular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irregular. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on irregular

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