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

The importance of understanding lunar surface movement This research shows that the moon is not geologically dead but sporadically active, with multiple processes, including seismic activity, impacts, and thermal stress, causing surface changes. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025

Sheen has since laid low, and claims to be sober and to have straightened his life out — even appearing sporadically in film and TV roles. —Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025

The group has reunited only sporadically since then, including notably for the 2007 Celebration Day concert in London, but a full reunion never materialized. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Davis continued to field Busch Series entrants sporadically throughout his career, with full-time teams later in his career. —Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sporadically

• radically