seldom 1 of 2

adverb

ˈsel-dəm How to pronounce seldom (audio)
Definition of seldomnext
as in rarely
not often we seldom go to the theater downtown because its prices are so high

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

seldom

2 of 2

adjective

as in unusual

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 seldom
Adverb
While the group is nominally focused on promoting the relationship between the United States and Israel, its advertising focus seldom mentions Israel. — Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 In a town that seldom sees both MLB teams contending at the same time, the Sox and Cubs have made this one of the more memorable summers in years. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026 Thirsty, hungry, seldom stopping to rest; anxious to please Sam. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 As enterprises start the journey, the common lesson learned is that AI seldom is the limiting factor; the organization is. — Anisha Manvatkar, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for seldom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seldom
  1. rarely
  2. unusual
  3. uncommon
  4. infrequent
  5. rare
  6. extraordinary
  7. unfamiliar
Adverb
  • After four seasons of fits and starts with the offense built around tight ends or the running game but rarely the receiver room, maybe the Irish are in position for something more.
    — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • They were being imposed under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a Great Depression-era law that has rarely, if ever, been invoked and has been neglected for decades.
    — Lim Hui Jie,Kevin Breuninger,Ashlee Trujillo, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of rarely
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
  • This is uncommon compared to other mental health issues new moms face — postpartum depression, for example, is estimated to affect about 10% of mothers.
    — Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
  • There is too much going on here for this novel to work, but Andersen is an uncommon writer, a skilled historical novelist as well as an astute cultural observer and historical interpreter.
    — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • Companies with infrequent travel needs—or executives whose trips are concentrated between major airline hubs with flexible schedules—may still find commercial airlines or occasional charter flights to be the most practical and cost-effective choice.
    — Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 17 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
Adjective
  • The rare albino peacock that was injured during the incident in Pasadena.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In a Texas hospital this week, doctors performed a complex, high-risk, open-heart surgery on a 6-day-old boy born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital condition that rendered part of his heart underdeveloped.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of rare
Adjective
  • Building new housing on two islands in San Francisco, one of the hottest housing markets, involved an extraordinary saga.
    — Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As his abilities give him access to increasingly sophisticated criminal schemes and extraordinary wealth, he is drawn into a world of luxury, excess and organized cybercrime.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • You are now being paid a positive premium to extend, which is the historically normal state of the world and has been unfamiliar for so long that many investors have stopped expecting it.
    — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Henry added the Patriots have done little to no scouting ahead of their practice with an unfamiliar opponent.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfamiliar

Browse Nearby Words

seizures
seldom
select
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seldom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seldom. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on seldom

Nglish: Translation of seldom for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All