Master confusing words with ease
Periodic vs. Sporadic
Periodic
/ˌpɪəriˈɒdɪk/Examples:
The report requires periodic updates for accuracy.Periodic maintenance prevents system failures.He programmed the heater to switch on at periodic intervals.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Sporadic
/spəˈrædɪk/Examples:
The power outages were sporadic throughout the storm.Wildflowers appeared sporadically in the barren field.He made sporadic attempts to learn a new language.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Periodic and sporadic both relate to the concept of occurrence over time, but they differ in regularity.
- Periodic events happen at regular, predictable intervals, like a regularly-scheduled meeting.
- Sporadic events occur irregularly and unpredictably, like spontaneous rain showers.
- You can remember periodic as it contains the word period, hinting at regular intervals.
- Sporadic might remind you of sporadically, indicating something less predictable and more random.
© 2025 Lithium Lab Pte Ltd