Synonyms of sporadic

sporadic

adjective

spə-ˈra-dik 

1

as in occasional

lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence

sporadic loud noises kept startling everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• occasional
• intermittent
• erratic
• sudden
• irregular
• casual
• unsteady
• unpredictable
• discontinuous
• violent
• spasmodic
• fitful
• spastic
• episodic
• spotty
• volatile
• episodical
• aperiodic
• random
• choppy
• scattered
• catchy
• interrupted
• haphazard
• fragmentary
• changeful
• varying
• changing
• odd
• broken
• unstable
• convulsive
• disconnected
• aimless
• uncertain
• unsettled
• stray
• desultory
• arbitrary
• variable
• capricious
• fluctuating
• hit-or-miss
• hit-and-miss
• slapdash
• inconstant
• mercurial
• mutable
• temperamental
• fluid
• changeable
• fickle
• wavering
• flickery

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuous
• constant
• periodic
• regular
• steady
• habitual
• stable
• uniform
• repeated
• stationary
• even
• systematic
• unchanging
• equable
• orderly
• methodical
• changeless
• unvarying
• unrelenting
• unremitting
• unwavering
• methodic

2

as in infrequent

not often occurring or repeated

so long as the complaints remain sporadic, we're doing fine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• occasional
• infrequent
• odd
• isolated
• rare
• unusual
• uncommon
• intermittent
• scattered
• scarce
• few and far between
• discontinuous
• unique
• erratic
• spasmodic
• irregular
• fitful
• spotty
• unsteady
• choppy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• frequent
• regular
• daily
• common
• ordinary
• routine

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

Recent Examples of sporadic

Since the government shutdown began two weeks ago, sporadic staffing issues have led to flight delays at various airports across the country, but overall, the aviation system has performed at normal levels of both timeliness and safety. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025

The leading edge of the storm will begin producing sporadic showers late Monday night, followed by the core of the system on Tuesday. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025

The Afghan and Pakistani governments have tried to mend the relationship in recent years, despite sporadic clashes and ongoing points of diplomatic tension. —Zia Ur-Rehman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025

Trump’s April health report was the first extensive report on his health since 2018, though there were sporadic updates in the past few years. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 9 Oct. 2025

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