1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
the weekend forecast is for occasional showers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in odd
not often occurring or repeated
an occasional mechanical problem with our car, but nothing serious
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of occasional
Hemani allegedly was only an occasional user of marijuana when the FBI found a handgun at his Texas home in 2022.
—
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Civilians in the area have not been instructed to evacuate but have faced checkpoints and tension, with occasional clashes between Israeli soldiers and villagers.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
If Brazzell is getting the bulk of the clear-out opportunities and Legette is being used as an occasional gadget weapon, what role can Horn really sink his teeth into?
—Mike Kaye
june 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026
My insomnia put me right in line with 50 million other American adults who suffer occasional or chronic sleep problems.
—Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for occasional
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Civilians in the area have not been instructed to evacuate but have faced checkpoints and tension, with occasional clashes between Israeli soldiers and villagers.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
If Brazzell is getting the bulk of the clear-out opportunities and Legette is being used as an occasional gadget weapon, what role can Horn really sink his teeth into?
—Mike Kaye
june 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026
My insomnia put me right in line with 50 million other American adults who suffer occasional or chronic sleep problems.
—Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for occasional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occasional
Adjective
-
Excluding the special cases of meteor showers, a viewer on the ground will see only about five or so sporadic meteors per hour on average, which isn’t terribly many.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
12 June 2026
-
While a bus was lit on fire in Belfast, a police car in the town of Portadown was set ablaze as sporadic pockets of disorder broke out into other parts of Northern Ireland.—
Olivia-Anne Cleary,
Time,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
However, because cities still hold elections in odd years — where Democratic turnout is historically higher than in Republican-leaning suburbs and rural areas — the math could tip in the amendment’s favor.—
Jeffrey M. Wice,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
-
Immediately after alighting from its fanciful detour, Woods makes the odd decision to leave Emily’s perspective and lock into Sylvia’s.—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
After just under two hours of intermittent rain, the tarp came out and the game was suspended.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
The president and his advisers have repeatedly criticized offshore wind as intermittent, unreliable and unsightly.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
These Knicks will be remembered as champions and as the rare big-market team that became easy to root for.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Even better, almost all have balconies, which is rare in town.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Authorities said that in the days leading up to her disappearance, Moore exhibited behavior that was out of character, including a sudden absence and an abrupt change in social media presence, according to ABC News.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
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His sudden passing has left his wife, Pamela, to raise their two children alone, Melissa Lynch, a family friend wrote in a GoFundMe campaign statement.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
What initially appeared to be an isolated classroom incident eventually became the foundation for more than a decade of research and writing for Pryor.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
Several storms will likely turn severe with damaging winds, intense lightning and the threat of isolated tornadoes.—
Tammie Souza,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Adjective
-
French authorities said unusual betting patterns were detected around a yellow card Wahi received in a Ligue 1 match while playing for Nice last month.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
The bar can do classic and pretty, strong and aromatic, familiar and unusual in the same round.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Non-inverter ACs are cheaper upfront but less efficient, better suited for short or infrequent use.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
18 June 2026
-
These signs include dark yellow urine, dry mouth, headaches, fatigue, dizziness and infrequent urination.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occasional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occasional. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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