sporadically

adverb

spo·​rad·​i·​cal·​ly spə-ˈra-di-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce sporadically (audio)
: 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
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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 See All Example Sentences for sporadically

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sporadically was in 1681

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Cite this Entry

“Sporadically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sporadically. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

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