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 Remaining band members Mike Shinoda, Dave Farrell, Brad Delson and Joe Hahn made sporadic appearances in the last seven years, and now new lead vocalist Emily Armstrong is hoping to carry on Bennington’s legacy while writing a new chapter with the band. Joseph Hernandez august 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025 The fire season was also worsened by a late and sporadic monsoon season, said Nikolai Balashov, a meteorologist for the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 29 Aug. 2025 The remaining 90% have sporadic ALS, which isn’t inherited. Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2025 Most cases were mild, transmission has not spread beyond animal exposures (except for a worrying 3 cases where exposure could not be identified), and mutations remain sporadic. John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sporadic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sporadic
Adjective
  • The boats offer a low-effort way to spy on some of the coolest marine life in the region, including bat rays and even the occasional shark.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • By night, Criel entertains guests for intimate dinners — and the occasional artistic performance.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, subsidies continue to favor intermittent renewables over firm capacity.
    Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Among the variations to consider are situations where one career takes the most time, or one is intermittent, or both are part-time or perhaps seasonal.
    Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Between February and May, when Dudek’s tenure ended, his erratic rhetoric and decisions routinely made front-page news.
    Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Dyrdhal knew all too well Gooden’s penchant for erratic violence.
    Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The condition causes sudden weakness or paralysis in muscles on one side of the face and is, in most cases, temporary, according to the Mayo Clinic.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Obvious as that opening sequence at the cider mill might be, there’s a lingering queasiness to its Wes Anderson-like top-down shots of apples being funnelled through a big machine that shuts down the second an irregular object is thrown into the mix.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
  • These irregular, geometric objects transform throwaway plastics into collectible design, sparking reflection on consumption and permanence in the digital age.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sporadic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sporadic. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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