occasional

adjective

ə-ˈkā-zh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce occasional (audio)
Definition of occasionalnext
1
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
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

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 However, those facing occasional cold spells didn’t report the same effect. — Feinuo Sun, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026 Rather than occasional long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries, Ukraine is now carrying out frequent attacks on refineries, oil tankers, power substations and broader energy infrastructure, according to ACLED’s Polishchuk. — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026 Always free-spirited, Nelson happily retired to his home in Maui and made only occasional visits back to the mainland. — Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026 What started as an occasional workaround had become part of the routine. — Brian Eason, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occasional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occasional
  1. sporadic
  2. odd
  3. intermittent
  4. rare
  5. sudden
  6. isolated
  7. unusual
  8. infrequent
Adjective
  • Not all are tankers; many operators are still deterred from using the strait because of sporadic Iranian drone attacks.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Players often arrive back from their summer breaks with a base level of fitness — enhanced by light and sporadic individual training during their holidays — and their natural athlete’s stamina.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sporadic
Adjective
  • That Waylon is unfamiliar with Harry Potter is odd, but not unheard of.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Already burdened by debt, the family was surviving on his odd jobs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of odd
Adjective
  • Construction vehicles beeped and chugged, and the intermittent buzz of saws mixed with the clang of heavy equipment.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Last Friday, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ published their most recent shortage update list naming the brands of estradiol patches on back order, intermittent back order, as well as those that are currently available.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of intermittent
Adjective
  • These falcons and other birds of prey were once rare in the region, with their population even reaching zero at one point.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Although postpartum psychosis is rare, Leistikow said, families can take steps to prepare, particularly if the mother has a history of mental illness.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of rare
Adjective
  • The sudden loss of mass means the strength of the primary star’s gravity drops suddenly, causing the secondary companion to get flung out into space at dizzying speeds.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But the sudden reversal in many of its biggest stock bets, compounded by losses on the other side of its portfolio and the use of leverage, quickly turned into a liquidity crunch.
    — Yun Li, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of sudden
Adjective
  • Zevallos said a key finding of the investigation is that in Peru there are no isolated routes for each type of crime.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Officials say Monday's tragedy is far from an isolated incident and are urging the public to slow down and pay attention.
    — Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of isolated
Adjective
  • At the recommendation of assistant director of player personnel Jason Stein, the Mets signed Yan to a two-year minor-league deal, an unusual contract for a healthy pitcher.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Her parents approach sexuality head on, almost with glee, which is certainly unusual for their time and place.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Summary Facing a competitive $19 billion global luggage market where suitcases are infrequent purchases, TUMI is strategically evolving its brand.
    — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Exhibiting became infrequent along the way, in part because so few spaces could present his work.
    — Aaron Fagan, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of infrequent

Browse Nearby Words

occasion
occasional
occasionally
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Cite this Entry

“Occasional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occasional. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of occasional for Spanish Speakers

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