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

On Buffett’s watch since 1965, the company has sporadically invested in media. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 May 2025

Inter won a free kick in the first minute of the second half — and Chivu, who wore a sporadically unclasped rugby scrum cap during the game, blasted it wide from 40 yards out, emphasising their total disinterest in mounting any meaningful attack. —Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

Latest weather models however show strong winds capable of generating more dust tonight and again sporadically throughout the weekend. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

Those are new peaks for the track, which has been sporadically present on both lists in the past, though it’s never appeared this high. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sporadically

• radically