sporadically

adverb

spo·​rad·​i·​cal·​ly spə-ˈra-di-k(ə-)lē 

: in a sporadic manner : not regularly or constantly

gunfire being heard sporadically

software updates that appear sporadically

Originally from the western Pacific Ocean, the shrimp have been spotted sporadically in U.S. waters for the past two decades.

—Rick Jervis

Even when the sun is being well behaved, parcels of plasma shoot sporadically toward Earth's dark side, prompting a bright aurora and intensifying radiation belts.

—Tim Beardsley

Examples of sporadically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Johansson is married to SNL's Colin Jost and sporadically appears on the show as a host and in cameo appearances. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2025

Many people develop the condition sporadically and without cause. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2025

Hamas has delayed the releases of hostages at different times, while Israeli strikes have continued sporadically in Gaza. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 16 Mar. 2025

Though Mindy only appears sporadically in the first 10 episodes, there’s a good chance viewers will see more of her, should Hulu renew Mid-Century Modern for a second season. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sporadically

• radically