erratically

American  

[ih-rat-ik-lee] / ɪˈræt ɪk li /

adverb

1. in a way that deviates from what is normal or proper.

   When other employees noticed she was behaving erratically, the store installed cameras and caught her stealing pills.

2. without any definite direction or pattern; in an irregular or inconsistent way.

   The cyclone moved erratically westward and southward for two days while slowly strengthening into a tropical storm.

   Since I was fourteen I've kept a journal, albeit somewhat erratically at times.

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Other Word Forms

• nonerratically adverb

Etymology

Origin of erratically

First recorded in 1610–20; erratic ( def. ) + -ally ( def. )

Example Sentences

This included during the onset of the pandemic, an erratically unfolding and socially fracturing catastrophe about which, naturally, Erikson had lots to say.

From The Wall Street Journal

Woo collapses on the ground, his tiny chest rising and falling erratically.

From Literature

Mr Bayoh, who was 31, was restrained by six police officers after he was allegedly spotted carrying a knife and behaving erratically on a street in Kirkcaldy.

From BBC

A crisis occurred Easter Sunday — April 21, 2019 — when Eric was acting erratically at work and was hospitalized that evening after Taylor had driven him home.

From Los Angeles Times

Denizens who behave erratically may be sent off to a nearby asylum.

From Salon

Related Words

• carelessly