as in seldom
not often
summer thunderstorms occur only rarely along the Oregon coast
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Recent Examples of rarely
In New York, which has a far-better staffed law department and rarely uses private counsel, the equivalent figure was less than $400,000 per year of incarceration.
—
Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
To say this rarely worked would be an understatement.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
How to earn JetBlue TrueBlue points Airline credit cards are rarely the best cards for earning airline miles.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Legitimate government offices rarely request permit payments this way.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rarely
Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
To say this rarely worked would be an understatement.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
How to earn JetBlue TrueBlue points Airline credit cards are rarely the best cards for earning airline miles.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Legitimate government offices rarely request permit payments this way.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rarely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rarely
seldom
Adverb
-
The other cost-slashing option that is seldom practiced is the simulcast in which the radio network broadcasts the TV announcers, a path the Dallas Stars have preferred for decades.—
Mac Engel
April 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
While cold temperatures impact foliage, the rhizomes are seldom damaged and new growth will emerge in spring.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rarely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rarely. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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