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

For months, Russians have complained that Telegram was working slower and more sporadically, and this week users began reporting a major slowdown. —Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026

The aurora borealis could sporadically appear post-peak and during summertime, when polar regions are experiencing the midnight sun. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026

Airspace was completely closed at the start of the war and the disruption has continued sporadically since then; ticket prices have soared worldwide — a reflection of the importance of the Gulf as an air travel hub — and passengers report that missile alerts continue to cause delays. —Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 16 Mar. 2026

However, rain has occurred only sporadically since the military attacks began in Iran. —Armin Sorooshian, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sporadically

• radically