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

Example 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 It’s been pretty sporadic and erratic with a bunch of them. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025 In its initial phase, between 1990 and 2005, pirate attacks were sporadic and contained mostly in the Gulf of Aden. Soham Mitra, Lou Robinson and Patrick Gallagher, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025 With even his sporadic shortness of breath seemingly more a psychological symptom than anything else, the doctor simply prescribes some restful time off — an order that Munir takes as a prompt for an unhurried suicide mission. Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025 However, the rest of Miro's time with the company was marked by long absences and sporadic appearances. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sporadic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sporadic
Adjective
  • Winds will increase during the afternoon hours, with occasional gusts to around 15 to 20 mph.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Even their occasional technical difficulties resolved into exhilarating feedback storms.
    Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Roughly 164 were returned to non-pay intermittent status, while the rest were returned to paid administrative leave.
    Ashley Murray, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The 2025 season opener in Australia was an intense race for all F1 teams considering the intermittent rainfall that led them to shift tire strategies according to the varying conditions.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And as it’s been for most of the last few weeks, the market’s slide on Tuesday was erratic and dizzying.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In the year before she was killed, Mary had called BSO 14 times regarding Nathan’s threats and increasingly erratic behavior, according to a log of BSO calls that the Herald reviewed.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Symptoms can include a sudden, severe headache, vomiting, neck stiffness and numbness or weakness on one side of the body or the face.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Your first thought as a near-retiree may be that a sudden recession will rob you of your retirement.
    Chris Carosa, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The symptoms of the condition include chest pain, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
  • They have been linked to declining sperm counts, irregular hormone levels, insulin resistance, and reproductive disorders in both men and women.
    Bill Frist, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sporadic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sporadic. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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