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

Hogan added that the market could experience more trading days like this sporadically over the coming months if sentiment remains subdued amid tensions in the Middle East. — Sean Conlon, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026

Bators died in 1990, but the group sporadically reunited and toured in the decades after. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

There are press conferences with managers/head coaches, and players are sporadically made available. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

And the surreal touches, appearing sporadically, are an odd fit with the pedestrian voiceover. — Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sporadically

• radically