1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
the weekend forecast is for occasional showers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in odd
not often occurring or repeated
an occasional mechanical problem with our car, but nothing serious
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 occasional
Mammoth, in the Clovis era, was likely a food staple rather than an occasional treat, the researchers say.
—
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024
While occasional phone usage at poker tables is normal, that kind of arrangement is unusual and is even something many casinos have guarded against for years.
—Ben Dowsett, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024
For occasional or seasonal consumption or lower levels of contamination, more research is needed to understand how lead in spices would affect lead levels in the blood.
—Katarzyna Kordas, Discover Magazine, 7 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for occasional 
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024
While occasional phone usage at poker tables is normal, that kind of arrangement is unusual and is even something many casinos have guarded against for years.
—Ben Dowsett, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024
For occasional or seasonal consumption or lower levels of contamination, more research is needed to understand how lead in spices would affect lead levels in the blood.
—Katarzyna Kordas, Discover Magazine, 7 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for occasional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occasional
Adjective
-
The friends exchanged sporadic texts over subsequent months but never saw each other in person after that.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
-
Such an approach to celebration helps create a sustainable culture where innovation thrives continuously rather than in sporadic bursts.Alain Hunkins, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Still, Miranda’s talents remain an odd match for Disney, leaving Lebo M — a vocalist from the first movie — to elevate the soundtrack once again, reinforcing the connection to Zulu rhythms and chants.Peter Debruge, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
-
Next year’s ceremony could be even tougher, given the odd state of the best picture race, which has no clear front-runner and appears likely to be dominated by a handful of film festival favorites.Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The problem for Nketiah is that there is no obvious role for him beyond intermittent appearances from the bench.Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
-
However, with communications still down hours later and official updates limited, reports of casualties began emerging on social media and through intermittent phone calls.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Her singular approach to curating a stationary store offers shoppers the rare opportunity to buy a gift that simply cannot be found anywhere else—a fact most notable in their vast selection of handmade Christmas ornaments.Carmen Rosy Hall, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2024
-
While speaking to Town & Country for their September 2024 issue, the Dawson's Creek alum gave some rare comments about her daughter Suri, 18, heading to college after graduating from her New York City high school in June.Raven Brunner, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
-
At the time, Variety reported the sudden move was likely a way for Warner Bros. Discovery to cut streaming-content costs.Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
What happened to Salinas and Villanueva are far from isolated incidents.Shoshana Walter, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Mules were used to lug water and food to isolated mountain areas.Micheline Maynard, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
While most incidents have come in New Jersey, other states, including Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, have also reported unusual drone activity to law enforcement.Maya Homan, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
-
But when physicians look at a pool of unusual test results, the chaotic sequencing pattern could flag whether something more serious may be going on and the mother could benefit from additional testing, Bianchi said.Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Lara Trump, in announcing her decision to step down on Sunday night, touted her work on fundraising, election integrity and encouraging millions of Americans and infrequent voters to turn up during early voting.Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
-
Stools may also be infrequent, such as having fewer than three bowel movements a week.2 A set of guidelines called the Rome IV criteria is used to diagnose IBS and its subtypes.Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near occasional
Cite this Entry
“Occasional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occasional. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share