SPORADIC Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sporadic

adjective

spə-ˈra-dik

Definition of sporadic next

as in occasional

lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence sporadic loud noises kept startling everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in infrequent

not often occurring or repeated so long as the complaints remain sporadic, we're doing fine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 The city typically gets a little over 3 inches of rain in October but hadn’t received a drop of rain until sporadic sprinkles tracked through the area Wednesday. —

Mary Gilbert, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024 The first of the two cold storm systems brought sporadic showers to the Bay Area on Wednesday. —

Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024 Background on Regional Insurgencies Southern Philippines, despite its resource wealth, has long struggled with poverty and sporadic violence involving insurgents and outlaws. —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Take the sporadic trend of YouTube creator movies - the most recent of which, Sam and Colby: The Legends of the Paranormal, joined a growing list of box office disappointments, generating just $1.75 million at the time this article was written. —

Damion Taylor, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sporadic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sporadic

Adjective

Molly Higgins Millions of Americans, like me, spend their workdays on pursuits that lack any physical manifestation beyond the occasional hard-copy book or memo or report.

Vince Beiser, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024
All parts need to be hand-washed, and the carafe calls for occasional descaling.

Rennie Dyball, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024