Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for not often.

not often

ADVERB
from time to time
Synonyms
WEAK
ever so often every now and then every once in a while infrequently now and again occasionally once and again once in a while periodically sometimes sporadically
ADVERB
hardly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
barely comparatively practically rarely seldom simply somewhat
STRONG
just
WEAK
almost inconceivably almost not by a hair by no means detectably faintly gradually imperceptibly infrequently little no more than no way not a bit not at all not by much not likely not markedly not measurably not much not notably not noticeably not quite once in a blue moon only only just perceptibly pretty near scantly slightly sparsely sporadically with trouble
Antonyms
STRONGEST
frequently
WEAK
very
ADVERB
little
Synonyms
STRONGEST
a little barely hardly rarely seldom
WEAK
hardly ever not many not quite only just scarcely somewhat
Antonyms
STRONGEST
frequently
WEAK
more much
ADVERB
now and then
Synonyms
STRONGEST
every now and then every so often infrequently intermittently now and again occasionally periodically sporadically
WEAK
at intervals at times every once in a while from time to time hardly irregularly off and on on occasion once and again once in a blue moon once in a while once or twice sometimes
ADVERB
off-and-on
Synonyms
WEAK
alternately at irregular intervals fluctuating hardly infrequently intermittent irregularly on and off scarcely sometimes sporadically vacillating variable very seldom when the mood strikes
ADVERB
on and off
Synonyms
WEAK
alternately at irregular intervals fluctuating inconstantly infrequently intermittently irregularly now and then off and on sometimes sporadically uncertainly variable very seldom when the mood strikes
ADVERB
seldom
Synonyms
STRONGEST
a few times hardly occasionally rarely scarcely sometimes sporadically
WEAK
every now and then from time to time hardly ever in a few cases inhabitually irregularly little not very often on and off once in a blue moon once in a while scarcely ever semioccasionally uncommonly unoften unusually whimsically
Antonyms
STRONGEST
frequently regularly
WEAK
often usually
ADVERB
uncommonly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exceptionally extremely remarkably strangely unusually
WEAK
extra hardly ever in few instances irregularly now and then occasionally oddly on occasion particularly peculiarly rarely scarcely ever seldom sporadically very
Antonyms
STRONGEST
normally usually
WEAK
commonly frequently

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.

It’s not often that the southwest San Fernando Valley has a City Council seat that’s completely up for grabs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

It’s not often mentioned whether these retirees are living on monthly Social Security payments or something else.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Cubs are not often seen, as mothers usually keep them out of sight.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Life is already highly digitised in China, which explains the broad uptake of high-tech healthcare, said LINTRIS' Wang, with data and privacy not often cited as a concern.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

He wrote impersonal letters, not because he was not a friendly man, but because he was the kind of man who did not often display his own inner emotions.

From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep