INFREQUENT Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'infrequent' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of infrequent are rare , scarce , sporadic , and uncommon . While all these words mean "not common or abundant," infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time. // infrequent family visits

Q: In what contexts can 'rare' take the place of 'infrequent'?

The words rare and infrequent can be used in similar contexts, but rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value. // rare first editions

Q: When can 'scarce' be used instead of 'infrequent'?

In some situations, the words scarce and infrequent are roughly equivalent. However, scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance. // jobs were scarce during the Depression

Q: When would 'sporadic' be a good substitute for 'infrequent'?

The meanings of sporadic and infrequent largely overlap; however, sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts. // sporadic cases of influenza

Q: When could 'uncommon' be used to replace 'infrequent'?

Although the words uncommon and infrequent have much in common, uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation. // smallpox is now uncommon in many countries

infrequent

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈfrē-kwənt

Definition of infrequent next

as in occasional

not often occurring or repeated a shut-in who made infrequent trips to the store

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word infrequent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of infrequent are rare, scarce, sporadic, and uncommon. While all these words mean "not common or abundant," infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.

infrequent family visits

In what contexts can rare take the place of infrequent?

The words rare and infrequent can be used in similar contexts, but rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.

rare first editions

When can scarce be used instead of infrequent?

In some situations, the words scarce and infrequent are roughly equivalent. However, scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance.

jobs were scarce during the Depression

When would sporadic be a good substitute for infrequent?

The meanings of sporadic and infrequent largely overlap; however, sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.

sporadic cases of influenza

When could uncommon be used to replace infrequent?

Although the words uncommon and infrequent have much in common, 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 infrequent Dirty towels on clean plates, infrequent handwashing , and roaches near food caused a South Miami-Dade restaurant to fail inspection last week. —

David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026 Also called a matrix garden, meadow lawn, or patchwork lawn, this gorgeous arrangement requires no fertilizer, little supplemental irrigation, and infrequent mowing. —

Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 16 Mar. 2026 But those moments are infrequent for most of us. —

Marisa McMillan, Outside, 14 Mar. 2026 Instead of blanketing the slope with a lawn that requires weekly attention, plant a groundcover that requires infrequent care. —

Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infrequent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for infrequent

occasional

Adjective

At a moment when our attention is fractured across phones, feeds, and tabs, the gap between occasional readers and obsessive ones has never felt wider.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
Wild temperature swings and occasional chances of rain remain in the forecast through the rest of the week.

— Cutter Martin, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of occasional

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infrequency

infrequent

infrequently

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“Infrequent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infrequent. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of infrequent

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