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

What To Know On Tuesday afternoon, sporadic thunderstorm- and flood-related alerts were in place across the central portion of the U.S. Alerts across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions were far more widespread. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025

North Texas has seen sporadic rainfall this summer along with hot and sunny weather. —Brayden Garcia july 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2025

Coaches and players who had meticulously calibrated fitness programs for 2024 were forced into an extended holding pattern, trying to maintain sharpness through sporadic friendlies and local camps. —Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

However, with Brooks Lee, Kody Clemens and Lewis receiving the bulk of the playing time, at-bats became more sporadic for Bride, who only had eight hits in his last 58 at-bats for the Twins. —Dan Hayes, New York Times, 30 June 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!