intermittent

adjective

ˌin-tər-ˈmi-tᵊnt How to pronounce intermittent (audio)
Definition of intermittentnext
1
as in recurrent
occurring or appearing at intervals intermittent showers had me opening and closing my umbrella all day long

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence the breadwinner's intermittent employment put the family in a difficult position financially

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of intermittent Research suggests that many of intermittent fasting’s benefits are linked to an overall reduction in calorie intake—not specifically to skipping breakfast, Martorano explains. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026 The platform’s reactor technologies and catalysts are integrated with software that can adjust operations around intermittent renewable power. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026 While six teams were originally discussed, four materialized as the WPBL made intermittent progress toward its debut. — James Raia, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 The effects of idling reduction laws are hard to estimate, in part because the pollution from idling is diffuse and intermittent. — Richard Marcantonio, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for intermittent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intermittent
  1. recurrent
  2. sporadic
  3. recurring
  4. occasional
  5. periodic
  6. sudden
Adjective
  • Jain responded that most of their clients either currently have BV or have dealt with recurrent infections in the past.
    — Sarah DiGregorio, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
  • Aiyuk began veering away from the team’s rehabilitation protocol soon after the surgery, failing to communicate with the team — a recurrent theme between Aiyuk and the 49ers — and preferring to rehabilitate on his own.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of recurrent
Adjective
  • Through sporadic radio contact, engineers discovered a problem with some of the spacecraft’s cold gas thrusters used for finer attitude control.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026
  • There is little data on the extent of the fraud cases, because reporting is so sporadic and scattered across dozens of agencies.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of sporadic
Adjective
  • The Bell Street Bridge encampment was prioritized for closure as part of Downtown Rising – the first phase of Atlanta Rising, a multi-year campaign launched in 2025 to end unsheltered homelessness citywide and make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.
    — Emily McLeod, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
  • This was and is a non-recurring, cyclical business totally dependent on transaction volumes, which fluctuate with economic cycles and interest rates.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of recurring
Adjective
  • Today, Armstrong's two-story boyhood home is an occasional stop for visitors of the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, even though the house itself isn't open for tours.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Prioritizing water most of the time and enjoying diet or sugar-free soda as an occasional treat can support good health.
    — Lindsey DeSoto, HEALTH, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • The first uses satellite imaging integrated with geographic information systems to replace periodic inspections with continuous environmental monitoring.
    — Gamuda Contributor, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The lightweight feet are made from triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures that absorb and release impact energy, reducing the workload on the robot’s motors.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of periodic
Adjective
  • All of a sudden, Ned seems to regain his memories of Peter just as the film ends.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • Conversely, a significant number of patients who experience sudden cardiac death likely did not have that abnormal measurement.
    — Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of sudden

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intermitted
intermittent
intermittently
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Cite this Entry

“Intermittent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intermittent. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on intermittent

Nglish: Translation of intermittent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intermittent

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