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Showing results for every so often.
Definitions

every so often

ADJECTIVE
periodic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annual intermittent monthly occasional recurrent recurring regular repeated routine seasonal sporadic weekly yearly
STRONG
periodical
WEAK
alternate at various times centennial cyclic cyclical daily epochal every once in a while fluctuating hourly infrequent isochronal isochronous on certain occasions on-again-off-again orbital perennial rhythmic serial spasmodic
Antonyms
STRONGEST
constant infrequent unusual
WEAK
continual irregular lasting permanent sporadic variable
ADVERB
at times
Synonyms
WEAK
from time to time now and again occasionally on occasion once in a while
ADVERB
ever and again
Synonyms
WEAK
at times ever and anon evermore from time to time now and again now and then occasionally on occasion
ADVERB
every now and then
Synonyms
STRONGEST
now and again now and then
WEAK
ever so often every once in a while from time to time once and again once in a while sometimes
ADVERB
intermittently
Synonyms
STRONGEST
occasionally periodically sporadically
WEAK
again betimes from time to time now and again on occasion once in a while sometimes
ADVERB
now and then
Synonyms
STRONGEST
every now and then infrequently intermittently now and again occasionally periodically sporadically
WEAK
at intervals at times every once in a while from time to time hardly irregularly not often off and on on occasion once and again once in a blue moon once in a while once or twice sometimes
ADVERB
occasionally
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hardly infrequently periodically seldom sometimes sporadically
WEAK
at intervals at random at times from time to time irregularly now and again on occasion once in a blue moon once in a while once or twice uncommonly
Antonyms
WEAK
always constantly frequently regularly steadily usually
ADVERB
off and on
Synonyms
WEAK
alternately at intervals at times every once in a while fluctuating from time to time irregularly now and then occasionally on occasion once in a while sometimes sporadically vacillating variably
ADVERB
on and off
Synonyms
WEAK
at intervals at times discontinuously every now and then every once in a while from time to time hardly infrequently intermittently irregularly now and again now and then occasionally off and on on occasion once in a blue moon once in a while periodically sometimes sporadically
ADVERB
once in awhile
Synonyms
WEAK
every now and then from time to time infrequently irregularly now and again now and then occasionally once and again once in a while periodically sometimes sporadically
ADVERB
once in a while
Synonyms
WEAK
at intervals at times every now and then from time to time hardly infrequently irregularly now and again on occasion once in a blue moon periodically rarely seldom sometimes sporadically
ADVERB
sometimes
Synonyms
STRONGEST
consistently constantly frequently occasionally
WEAK
at intervals at times ever and again from time to time here and there intermittently now and again now and then off and on on occasion once in a blue moon once in a while periodically recurrently
Antonyms
WEAK
never

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But every so often, a repair comes along that is so expensive it catches even the most seasoned homeowner off guard.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said the risk in the sector “keeps me awake every so often at night.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

Most of the time the virus drifts along making minor changes and then every so often there is a sudden abrupt shift as the virus mutates substantially.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2025

Some students have told Jarquin that they like to keep their cellphones on their desks so they can text their parents every so often and make sure they’re safe.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2025

She had to watch as he stepped into the village, looking to the left and right, stopping every so often to listen, moving from house to house.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman