SPORADIC Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sporadic

adjective

spə-ˈra-dik

Definition of sporadic

as in occasional

lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence sporadic loud noises kept startling everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in infrequent

not often occurring or repeated so long as the complaints remain sporadic, we're doing fine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Others look further back to early and sporadic insurgent activity in 1964, before the UDI, or to 1965, the year of the UDI (November 11) itself. — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026 The dazzling foliage of ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is accented by a flush of fragrant white blooms in spring and sporadic flowers throughout summer and fall. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026 Pisces, the lakeside seafood restaurant, gives you a front-row seat at the Lake of Dreams and its sporadic and fun evening shows. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026 In the 1980s teams of mathematicians around the world unearthed the polynomials corresponding to 25 of the 26 sporadic groups—but not M23. — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sporadic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sporadic

Adjective

The significance of the work goes beyond eliminating the occasional frustrating chatbot conversation.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
An occasional bird would chirp in the distance, but the forest emanated an eerie stillness, said Young, a research ecologist at the University of California, Davis.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of occasional

Adjective

There are still intermittent closures and construction connected to recovery projects, and the park service recommends consulting the road status section of its website when traveling to the region.

— Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
My prototype suffered from intermittent rolling resistance with the motor off.

— Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of intermittent

Adjective

Just as the industry began recovering from a multiyear freight slowdown, the administration began cracking down on immigrant drivers earlier this year, exacerbating the impact from the erratic tariff announcements.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Because China’s system is tightly controlled, its descent into personalistic one-man rule does not play out in divisive confrontations on television or erratic social media rants by the top leader.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of erratic

Adjective

There’s a fascinating synchronicity between the current real-world anxiety and the film industry’s sudden interest in dense studies of the tech world’s dark underbelly.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Other symptoms include sudden high fever and chills, headaches, and pain in the abdomen, legs and arms, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of sudden

Adjective

This process helped preserve the irregular lines, layered color and tactile quality of the originals and used this character within the fabrics.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
Curved sofas, rounded tables and expressive lighting are among the older forms being reconsidered for current interiors, along with irregular silhouettes.

— Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of irregular

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spoors

sporadic

sporadically

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“Sporadic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sporadic. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sporadic

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