sporadically

[spuh-rad-ik-uh-lee]

adverb

1. every now and then; at irregular intervals in time.

   Ox-eye sunflowers bloom sporadically throughout the summer.

2. here and there; in scattered locations.

   Little candles, placed sporadically among the chapel pews, lit up people’s faces.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sporadically¹

First recorded in 1675–85; sporadic ( def. ) + -ally ( def. )

Example Sentences

Drones and missiles have sporadically veered into countries bordering Ukraine in the years since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

From BBC

Of course conservatives complained about all this constantly and at great length, and sporadically tried to organize boycotts or other counterattacks against such shibboleths as “affirmative action,” “political correctness,” “multiculturalism” and “cultural Marxism.”

From Salon

Many of the Palestinian flags in Birmingham have popped up sporadically, on only one or two lampposts rather than lining the streets.

From BBC

But as August fare goes, it’s a sticky, sweaty hoot, well cast and paced like a disreputable beach read, even if you might sporadically wish Werner Herzog had gotten first crack at this material.

From Los Angeles Times

In their report, the MPs acknowledged that the Israeli government "is not listening to the UK," and was only "sporadically" listening to the United States, by far its most significant military backer.

From BBC

Related Words

• intermittently 
• now and then www.thesaurus.com
• occasionally 
• rarely 
• seldom 
• sparingly