sporadically

adverb

spo·​rad·​i·​cal·​ly spə-ˈra-di-k(ə-)lē 

: in a sporadic manner : not regularly or constantly

gunfire being heard sporadically

software updates that appear sporadically

Originally from the western Pacific Ocean, the shrimp have been spotted sporadically in U.S. waters for the past two decades.

—Rick Jervis

Even when the sun is being well behaved, parcels of plasma shoot sporadically toward Earth's dark side, prompting a bright aurora and intensifying radiation belts.

—Tim Beardsley

Examples of sporadically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To be a successful independent filmmaker—that is, one who is even sporadically employed—is, in essence, to be a bit of a con man. —Nick Pinkerton, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

For protein products that do show an especially high heavy metal content, using them more sporadically, rather than daily, can reduce exposure. —C. Michael White, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2025

These restrictions are intended to be flexible and removable, yet they are only revisited sporadically. —Peter White, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025

Ruess then released a solo album in 2015 and has sporadically been featured on songs with artists like Pink and Kesha. —Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 6 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sporadically

• radically