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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For protein products that do show an especially high heavy metal content, using them more sporadically, rather than daily, can reduce exposure. C. Michael White, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2025 These restrictions are intended to be flexible and removable, yet they are only revisited sporadically. Peter White, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025 Ruess then released a solo album in 2015 and has sporadically been featured on songs with artists like Pink and Kesha. Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 6 Oct. 2025 Tech companies sporadically work with local police to track and deplatform harmful accounts, law enforcement sources say. Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sporadically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sporadically. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sporadically

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!