1
as in occasional
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
sporadic loud noises kept startling everyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in infrequent
not often occurring or repeated
so long as the complaints remain sporadic, we're doing fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sporadic
December at Jimmy Kimmel Live saw sporadic musical performances.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Even though Ferreira lives on the East Coast, Connecticut appearances can be sporadic.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2026
In addition to the blasts, residents across Caracas described hearing sirens and sporadic gunfire in various neighborhoods, adding to the sense of confusion and fear.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
The incoming system will mostly produce sporadic showers.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sporadic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sporadic
Adjective
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Not even those who, inspired by occasional bouts of yellow fever, had sure access to fleeting moments of lucidity.—
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Today, occasional direct ferries provide a simpler two-hour crossing.—
Adjective
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These include electric vehicles with extended driving ranges, large-scale renewable energy storage systems that can balance intermittent solar and wind power, and lightweight, flexible power sources for portable and wearable electronics.—
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Countries also need to work on better connecting intermittent renewables — those which work only when the sun shines or the wind blows — with batteries that can store their energy.—
Adjective
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These large waves can be erratic and unpredictable.—
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The addiction eventually took its toll, and Chase became more erratic and difficult to work with.—
Adjective
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Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
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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.—
Adjective
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In women, extreme deficits can cause irregular periods or even amenorrhea (loss of menstruation).—
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Of course, the collective memory of the city, and its residents, can take irregular, even subterranean, forms.—
Cite this Entry
“Sporadic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sporadic. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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