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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in odd

not often occurring or repeated an occasional mechanical problem with our car, but nothing serious

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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 occasional Hadid shares an occasional glimpse into their relationship on Instagram, keeping things relatively private. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 Georgia may be known for its boiling summer temperatures, the occasional hurricane and a rogue tornado, but the state is not typically associated with earthquakes. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 That structure is particularly relevant to occasional travelers who may not have accumulated enough points for a completely free night. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Primarily a third baseman throughout his career, Lewis is adapting well to the new position but still experiences the occasional hiccup. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occasional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occasional

Adjective

Sporadic attacks risk largely blocking the waterway In the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has shown that even sporadic attacks on ships can be enough to effectively close a critical waterway by driving up risks and insurance premiums.

— Fatma Khaled, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
The Strait of Hormuz — which handled around one-fifth of global oil supply before the war — has seen traffic drop to a trickle with sporadic increase in ship transits on positive headlines.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of sporadic

Adjective

This may seem like an odd one, but this Springsugar hair set comes with three combs, a hair wax stick, and a finishing stick.

— Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
The instruments and rhythms dance with Lenae’s sinuous vocals, nudging her into odd pockets, uplifting her notes.

— Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of odd

Adjective

Service has been intermittent and has shut off for full days and multiple days at a time.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
The systems use lithium-ion or other battery cells and help data centers and utilities avoid blackouts, allowing for energy storage from all sources, including fossil fuels and renewable and intermittent sources like solar and wind.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of intermittent

Adjective

The infield prospect went 4 for -5 with four singles, also committing a rare double-error at third base.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
The proposal, approved during a rare summer special session, would place before voters in November a constitutional amendment that clarifies how Maryland‘s congressional districts are drawn.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

In the path of totality, a low, milky sky may hide the corona, but that also makes the darkness feel heavier and more sudden.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The former employee said that there are informal support groups among alumni, more for navigating a flood of financial advisors and figuring out what to do with sudden wealth than for organizing trades.

— Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of sudden

Adjective

By embracing progressive modernization, banks can turn isolated data into fluid intelligence, and secure a massive margin multiplier.

— Jody Bhagat, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Six months later, human remains were discovered on Nunivak Island, an isolated island located in the Bering Sea, but were never identified, Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, told the outlet.

— Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of isolated

Adjective

The conflict played out under the watchful eye of Johnson’s senior adviser, Jason Lee — an unusual involvement for a high-ranking mayoral staffer, given that the $8 million grant is administered by a separate department.

— Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Guerrero’s struggles have been particularly noticeable, creating an unusual disconnect between his superstar status and his production.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of unusual

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occasion

occasional

occasionally

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“Occasional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occasional. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of occasional

adjective

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