Synonym Chooser

How is the word sporadic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sporadic are infrequent, rare, scarce, and uncommon. While all these words mean "not common or abundant," sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.

sporadic cases of influenza

When is it sensible to use infrequent instead of sporadic?

Although the words infrequent and sporadic have much in common, infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.

infrequent family visits

When is rare a more appropriate choice than sporadic?

The meanings of rare and sporadic largely overlap; however, rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.

rare first editions

Where would scarce be a reasonable alternative to sporadic?

While the synonyms scarce and sporadic are close in meaning, scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance.

jobs were scarce during the Depression

When would uncommon be a good substitute for sporadic?

The synonyms uncommon and sporadic are sometimes interchangeable, but uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation.

smallpox is now uncommon in many countries

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 sporadic Although the disease is known for its sporadic occurrence, clusters raise concerns among public health officials about potential environmental or dietary exposure. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025 The reversal in the weather will come after sporadic showers — some heavy at times — dumped on the region Monday and Tuesday. Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025 More recently, the Trump administration’s sporadic tariff changes have made future prices more uncertain, which exposes people to risks. Sophie Mitra, The Conversation, 1 May 2025 The bench was sporadic during the regular season, and outside of Mitchell Robinson and Cam Payne’s performance in the fourth quarter of Game 1, the bench has been nonexistent this playoffs. James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sporadic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sporadic
Adjective
  • Goygol includes 65,000 residents, prim parks, tall pines and occasional Tyrolean architecture.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • With some occasional help from the Rockies, who committed three errors and one big mental mistake, the Padres (24-13) scored in five different innings.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • The animators at Blur Studio employ a photo-realistic quality to their art, shading the characters in dramatic shadows and inserting intermittent patches of concentrated color that grab your visual attention and slingshot you through the rocketing narrative. 4.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 May 2025
  • Please talk with your healthcare provider before trying 4:3 intermittent fasting.
    Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Similarly, erratic rainfall patterns in India are threatening crop consistency and farmer livelihoods.
    Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Minnesota is tough as hell, but the defensive pressure the Thunder bring on every possession will be too much for a Timberwolves offense that can be erratic at times.
    The Athletic NBA Staff, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • The band’s message may have got slightly lost, however, amid their acid-trip screen visuals, military drag, and the climactic near-naked reveals, not to mention the sudden appearance of a rocket-straddling Vladimir Lenin impersonator who looked more like the Smurfs’ arch-nemesis Gargamel.
    Nick Allen, Vulture, 13 May 2025
  • In practical terms, a sudden revocation of a nonprofit’s status would instantly derail PSLF credit for its employees through no fault of their own.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • To that end, Henríquez emphasizes that the below symptoms should be taken seriously: Increasingly irregular periods, with the absence of some of them for several months.
    Mónica Heras, Vogue, 12 May 2025
  • This trend matches the rise of hooked and tufted rugs, which often take on organic shapes with irregular edges.
    Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Sporadic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sporadic. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sporadic

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!