Synonym Chooser

How is the word infrequent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of infrequent are rare, scarce, sporadic, and uncommon. While all these words mean "not common or abundant," infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.

infrequent family visits

In what contexts can rare take the place of infrequent?

The words rare and infrequent can be used in similar contexts, but rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.

rare first editions

When can scarce be used instead of infrequent?

In some situations, the words scarce and infrequent are roughly equivalent. However, scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance.

jobs were scarce during the Depression

When would sporadic be a good substitute for infrequent?

The meanings of sporadic and infrequent largely overlap; however, sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.

sporadic cases of influenza

When could uncommon be used to replace infrequent?

Although the words uncommon and infrequent have much in common, 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 infrequent And this isn’t an infrequent phenomenon: Leadership IQ's Narcissist Test finds that nearly one-third of employees have worked alongside a covert narcissist. Mark Murphy, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 For instance, when designing a system that will need to do frequent, predictable reads of the memory and infrequent writes, MRAM, PCM, and RRAM are good choices. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Dec. 2024 These services need to be available on demand, but demand is infrequent. Matt Butcher, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024 Interactions with senior Democratic lawmakers and some cabinet members—including powerful secretaries such as Defense’s Lloyd Austin and Treasury’s Janet Yellen—were infrequent or grew less frequent. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for infrequent 

Thesaurus Entries Near infrequent

Cite this Entry

“Infrequent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infrequent. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infrequent

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