OCCASIONAL Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

occasional

adjective

ə-ˈkā-zh(ə-)nəl

Definition of occasional

as in sporadic

lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence the weekend forecast is for occasional showers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 occasional Backyards became overflow living rooms, remote offices and social hubs, pushing outdoor design past occasional entertaining into daily utility. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 By Wednesday, high temps across the Central Valley are set for the low 70s or even 60s as clouds move overhead and the occasional raindrop falls. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 There’s also the occasional short A-line dress—Christian sorority-girl style—in pastel shades or, of course, MAGA red. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026 Kate Middleton’s wardrobe is full of coats—trench coats, coat dresses, blazer-style coats, and the occasional cropped number. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occasional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occasional

Adjective

Only some regional operators have continued sporadic services, generally using smaller feeder vessels.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
That said, devolving tropical storms can pack a punch with sporadic gusts and showers as the energy that was formerly bundled in the storm’s center releases outward.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of sporadic

Adjective

And this isn’t even to mention the especially odd idea of an acting nomination coming from a documentary, no matter how many recreations there are in it.

— Jackson Murphy, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026
In other cases, the warriors look unrecognizable, and more like odd scribbles.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of odd

Adjective

Ohtani has been playing with a bad knee and biceps for three months, and the Dodgers already have tried intermittent rest.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
The amount of daylight, cool temperatures, and intermittent rain in autumn mimic what happens in spring when the peepers actively court and mate.

— Sheryl DeVore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of intermittent

Adjective

In a recent rare interview with chum Matthew McConaughey, Bryan suggested that his songwriting-and-touring tear since leaving the Navy may be coming to a close soon.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
But these mergers are far too rare to explain the abundance of heavier elements in the universe.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
The Sagittarius Moon opposes Uranus, making a conversation, bit of news, or sudden change of perspective impossible to ignore.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sudden

Adjective

Scattered to isolated rain will begin as soon as this morning as warm air begins to move in ahead of the cold front today.

— Ron Smiley, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
NemoClaw operates in an isolated sandbox, so users can leverage its ability to write code, consult the web, and use apps without worrying a malfunction will compromise live systems.

— Shubham Agarwal, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of isolated

Adjective

Six months after Vincent’s suicide, Theo died from the ravages of syphilis, leaving Jo a young widow with a baby to support, not much money, and an unusual inheritance—Vincent’s paintings—more than 400 in total.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
While his neighbors weren’t alarmed enough by the unusual sight to call security, Abrams wasn’t as lucky during filming at Radford Studios in Studio City.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

But these infrequent episodes ultimately didn’t sway my stance.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
Goldenvoice’s Head Trip, the third offering in the Coachella promoter’s infrequent time-capsule series (following Desert Trip and Power Trip), is a two-day electronic music summit slated to take over the Empire Polo Club in Indio this weekend.

— Niyaz Pirani, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of infrequent

Browse Nearby Words

occasion

occasional

occasionally

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“Occasional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occasional. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of occasional

adjective

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