Synonyms of rarely

rarely

adverb

ˈrer-lē 

as in seldom

not often

summer thunderstorms occur only rarely along the Oregon coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seldom
• infrequently
• never
• sporadically
• occasionally
• once in a blue moon
• little
• sometimes
• irregularly
• now and then
• ne'er
• episodically

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• often
• frequently
• usually
• generally
• ordinarily
• oft
• routinely
• oftentimes
• always
• customarily
• habitually
• ever
• invariably
• constantly
• continually
• continuously
• forever
• endlessly
• perpetually
• repeatedly
• eternally
• chronically
• perennially
• unceasingly
• everlastingly
• evermore
• recurrently

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rarely

Modi, who rarely responds to criticism, has not publicly responded to the protesters’ demands. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Skipping these foods, or eating them rarely, is central to the approach. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

That’s in sharp contrast to 2025, when the Steam Deck never dropped below seventh place on the bestseller charts and was only rarely outside the Top 5. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

Steven Spielberg has similarly argued that careers rarely unfold exactly as planned. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 July 2026