1
as in frequent
appearing or occurring repeatedly from time to time
sent out periodic reminders about the office dress code
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in recurrent
occurring or appearing at intervals
periodic snow showers that might leave up to an inch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of periodic
Instead, the countries have existed in a state of unresolved hostility for decades, marked by periodic clashes, cross-border tensions, and Israeli military operations inside Lebanon.
—
Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Fantastic, illumined by periodic excursions into surrealism, as when the crew of a mysterious UFO boards a transpacific Kahuna Airlines jet midflight.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Lebanon’s fragile sovereignty The lack of resolved borders and Israel’s periodic incursions into southern Lebanon have predictably meant that Lebanon has struggled to assert sovereignty over its own territory.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Only on rare occasions do contestants return to the show, such as in the periodic Champion of Champions specials, which pit winners of past seasons against each other.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for periodic
Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Fantastic, illumined by periodic excursions into surrealism, as when the crew of a mysterious UFO boards a transpacific Kahuna Airlines jet midflight.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Lebanon’s fragile sovereignty The lack of resolved borders and Israel’s periodic incursions into southern Lebanon have predictably meant that Lebanon has struggled to assert sovereignty over its own territory.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Only on rare occasions do contestants return to the show, such as in the periodic Champion of Champions specials, which pit winners of past seasons against each other.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for periodic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for periodic
Adjective
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Strong straight-line winds, downpours, and frequent lightning are the biggest concerns.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Marco Calvani gets laughs as Anna’s frequent cab driver, Marco; Stella Pecollo is a scene stealer as Matteo’s spicy aunt; and Aziza Scott is hilarious as Anna’s friend as Claire, Anna’s friend back home, who tries to be the voice of reason in the situation.—
Adam Graham,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Opponents of the Iranian dictatorship decry negotiation with a regime that has killed tens of thousands of its own people in recurrent waves of recent protests.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
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The researchers watched each adult closely for about three years and examined how many had a recurrent heart attack, were hospitalized for heart failure or died from any cause.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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At the conclusion of every regular season, provided the Knicks make the playoffs, the organization redesigns the corridor leading from the home locker room to the Madison Square Garden hardwood floors.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
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But, yes, the Heat clearly failed to measure up during the regular season and likely would not have held their ground as well as the Magic did in their series opener against Detroit.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Campbell also made repeated claims under his Project Constitution moniker that Erika Kirk was involved in procuring underage girls for the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
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After using your home gym: Exercise equipment can collect bacteria and skin microbes through sweat and repeated handling, but these organisms are typically not highly infectious (unless someone is ill).—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Beginning in the 1890s, three successive Henry Wallaces — father, son, and grandson — held the editor’s pen at the influential periodical, Wallaces’ Farmer.—
Andrew Klumpp,
Des Moines Register,
22 Mar. 2026
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After the last couple of years of periodical cicada activity, this year brings a pleasant break from periodical brood activity.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Without the structure of constant checkups and immediate attention to injuries, some former players may delay seeing providers — allowing underlying health issues to go unaddressed for years.—
Roni Robbins,
AJC.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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Only a coordinated health system can care for the wounded under constant shelling.—
Nataliya Gumenyuk,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/periodic. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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