1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
the weekend forecast is for occasional showers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in odd
not often occurring or repeated
an occasional mechanical problem with our car, but nothing serious
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of occasional
The setting allows for a cross section of humanity, united in distress, and occasional passages of sociopolitical commentary.
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Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
In the wreckage of the houses, only the occasional recognizable object remained: some trash bins melted on one side, like the marshmallows in a s’more; a Santa sled that had not yet been put away for the season; the frame of my niece’s bike in what used to be my brother’s garage.
—Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2025
To learn more about the tropical plants that dot the area, visit the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, a three-acre oasis in the heart of South Beach, and occasional events, like tropical fruit tastings, tai chi, and yoga — best of all, admission is free.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2025
Using Yunus Musah as an occasional balancing agent on the wing was not what some at the club had in mind.
—James Horncastle, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for occasional 
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
In the wreckage of the houses, only the occasional recognizable object remained: some trash bins melted on one side, like the marshmallows in a s’more; a Santa sled that had not yet been put away for the season; the frame of my niece’s bike in what used to be my brother’s garage.
—Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2025
To learn more about the tropical plants that dot the area, visit the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, a three-acre oasis in the heart of South Beach, and occasional events, like tropical fruit tastings, tai chi, and yoga — best of all, admission is free.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2025
Using Yunus Musah as an occasional balancing agent on the wing was not what some at the club had in mind.
—James Horncastle, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for occasional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occasional
Adjective
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The brand had toyed with apparel since the ‘80s with small and sporadic capsule collections but the new apparel designs, hinging on Americana and the preppy look, seem to be accruing fans, too.Martino Carrera, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025
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Consumers in Mexico are using their cell phones to purchase everyday items such as groceries but also to make sporadic purchases on clothing, books, and other items.Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Key Background Rumors of a rift developing between Lively and Baldoni started to emerge ahead of the film's premiere and were fueled by the press tour, during which the pair made no joint appearances (an odd arrangement for a film's star and its director and co-star).Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
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The display is also located far behind the steering wheel and creates what, for some drivers, might be an odd focal distance.Doug Newcomb, PCMAG, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Situated only a hefty clearance from the Manchester Ship Canal, the ground, complete with a two-storey clubhouse, 250-seat stand and even a commentators’ box, has since had intermittent use from various Sunday League sides and most recently an under-18s team managed by YouTuber ‘Angry Ginge’.Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
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Such moments of creative exhilaration were intermittent adornments of a diffuse slog.Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In photos: Palisades Fire threatens L.A. homes Go deeper: How wildfire smoke impacts your health LA's wildfires sparked by rare collision of climate factors Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
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Fairuz Iconic Lebanese singer The legendary Lebanese singer turned a spry 90 last year and though her public appearances are rare these days, her legacy is stronger than ever.SPIN Staff, SPIN, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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There are even grief counselors and social workers who specialize in sudden loss.Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
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Fans were devastated by news of Morrison’s sudden and unexpected death at age 27.Makena Gera, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Total accumulations of 2-5 inches of snow are expected for most areas, but isolated patches could see as much as 8 inches of snow.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
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The issue at hand was a pattern and not an isolated situation.Hylke Faber, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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That helped law enforcement make the unusual traffic stop more than an hour later.Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
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Use it to categorize spending, flag unusual costs and even suggest areas for potential savings.Aleesha Webb, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Put another way, the fact that actors can be paid so well speaks loudly to how uncertain (and infrequent) the impressive pay is.John Tamny, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
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For new or infrequent campers, check out comfort items like the Fun Pac Yuzonc Camping Sleeping Pad, now 28 percent off, and the Eddie Bauer Deluxe Outdoor Blanket, now 49 percent off.Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near occasional
Cite this Entry
“Occasional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occasional. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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