1
as in recurrent
occurring or appearing at intervals
intermittent showers had me opening and closing my umbrella all day long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
the breadwinner's intermittent employment put the family in a difficult position financially
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 intermittent
Homes in this area will experience intermittent water shutoffs throughout the day.
—
Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Tires warble, security alarms pulsateblasting phonics of intermittent percussion.
—Leslie Simon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
The Golden State’s heavy reliance on intermittent renewables such as wind and solar creates major reliability gaps when the sun sets or the wind stalls.
—Lora Myers, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
Most areas along the western and northern lakeshore will see intermittent rain, though totals are lighter than the heaviest lake-effect bands farther north.
—Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intermittent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intermittent
Adjective
-
People with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome experience developmental delays, lack of speech, recurrent seizures or epilepsy, distinctive facial features, breathing issues and more.—
-
But about 50% of people who achieve complete remission develop recurrent AML, when the disease comes back.—
Adjective
-
The study made a significant contribution, if not clarification, to this academic niche — medieval migration wasn’t seasonal, nor sporadic and intense.—
-
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.—
Adjective
-
Audiences can also expect a new teacher, Luke Tennie’s Dominic, and potentially more recurring and guest characters.—
-
This should further increase the bank's base of more recurring revenue streams.—
Adjective
-
Not even those who, inspired by occasional bouts of yellow fever, had sure access to fleeting moments of lucidity.—
-
Today, occasional direct ferries provide a simpler two-hour crossing.—
Adjective
-
The new series, however, jumps back 27 years from the 1989-set It movie to bring us to 1962, an earlier cycle of Pennywise’s periodic rampaging.—
-
Public markets offer transparency, governance, and liquidity; private firms, by contrast, often avoid periodic reporting and undergo less rigorous oversight.—
Adjective
-
Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
-
The engine, freed from its hook by a sudden hard, precise kick, quickly sank into the river, pulling the cord tight and dragging the foreman underwater.—
Cite this Entry
“Intermittent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intermittent. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share