irregular 1 of 2

Definition of irregularnext
1
2
3
4
5

irregular

2 of 2

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
The series has since developed into more of an all-round wellness tool, with hardware that incorporates ECG readings and irregular heart rate notifications. Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 The couplets rhyme—mostly—but his rhythms are irregular, more implicit than embodied. Pete Tosiello, Pitchfork, 27 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
  • Or hold a burning incense stick around the windows and doors, and watch for any abnormal smoke movement.
    Michelle Ullman, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The training also makes clear that the definition of ectopic pregnancies — which are always life-threatening — includes any that implant in an abnormal location outside of the uterine cavity.
    Cassandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • During Galliano’s tenure, Maison Margiela shows were sporadic.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • However, sporadic light supplementation means that adjusting fertilizer use is sensible if plant growth slows.
    Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Despite substantial investment, outcomes remain uneven, and access to alternatives is often constrained by income.
    Carol Platt Liebau, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Bets on economic resilience have recently fueled gains in companies that tend to benefit from improving growth prospects, the latest data underscored the uneven labor market characterized by limited numbers of overall dismissals and lackluster hiring.
    Rita Nazareth, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Anyone who survived the informal audition went on to meet judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Unlike the specialized literary magazine and its informal cousin, the literary blog, the general-interest newspaper has a kind of noble rapacity, an encyclopedic ambition to wrap its arms around the whole of the world.
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 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
  • Now operating from the shadows in Colombia, Roper has been operating a massive arms-smuggling ring with the goal of rebuilding his empire and bankrolling a private guerrilla army to topple the local government.
    Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Other artists of this era sought to intervene, guerrilla style, in the apparatuses of advertising, in order to shake consumers from their hypnotic slumber.
    Michael Cowan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Others forced users to pause for several seconds between words, which made the conversation feel unnatural.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
  • If anything, Amorim proved too defiantly wedded to his own ‘way’, a 3-4-2-1 system which had to force-fit players into unnatural roles.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Scam centers proliferating as criminal gangs flout laws In Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, a failure to consistently enforce laws against human trafficking, labor abuses and criminal activities have allowed cyber-scam centers to flourish despite occasional crackdowns, the report noted.
    Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • While occasional scooting can happen, recurring episodes usually signal an underlying issue with anal glands.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irregular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irregular. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on irregular

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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