Rain is an infrequent occurrence in this part of the country.
Source: tatoeba (2554300)
Infrequent
Synonyms for "infrequent" (77 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (16)
Determiner(1 words)
a small number
Adjective(4 words)
Noun(2 words)
less sharedmore occasional
Strong matches (23)
Related words (38)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: a small number, almost unheard-of, cheeseparing, chinchy, chintzy.
- Sentence evidence is available for infrequent, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "infrequent".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "infrequent"
Keep "infrequent" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "infrequent" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "infrequent", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "infrequent" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
2 entriesdescriptorfrequency adjective
More specific
4 entriesintermittent attendancelow frequencyrare occurrencesporadic event
Collocations
5 entriesinfrequent changesinfrequent rainfallinfrequent travelerinfrequent updatesinfrequent visitor
Inflections
2 entriesmore infrequentmost infrequent
Derivations
3 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
3 entriesSample sentences
4 total sentences available.
Mr. Sherlock Holmes who was usually very late in the mornings, save upon those not infrequent occasions when he stayed up all night, was seated at the breakfast table.
Source: tatoeba (6604963)
The weather service says the widespread chill is the result of a relatively infrequent alignment of weather conditions, allowing the Arctic polar vortex to travel unusually far to the south.
Source: tatoeba (12029269)
Such was the station provided for the infrequent services of 1852, when suburban traffic was unheard of, and Hornsey, Colney Hatch & Southgate, Barnet, and Potters Bar were the only intermediate stations on the 17¾ miles between London and Hatfield.
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "infrequent"?
Closest matches include a small number, almost unheard-of, cheeseparing, chinchy, chintzy.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "infrequent"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.