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 Heated Rivalry, Shane and Ilya’s romantic arc builds sporadically over the course of more than eight years. —Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026

Barcelona’s main threat is right-winger Lamine Yamal, who has the ability to beat two opponents single-handedly, so Jules Kounde tends to play more of a supporting role, sometimes holding his position and tucking into a back three, and pushing forward sporadically. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026

At least the ’98 Godzilla was sporadically engaging for all its many flaws. —James Grebey, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

When kept outdoors, day-neutral strawberries typically fruit sporadically until the first killing frost of fall. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sporadically

• radically