Synonyms for intermittent

modified

intermittent and recurrent both apply to something that stops and starts, or disappears and reappears, from time to time, but the former usually stresses the breaks or pauses, and the latter, the repetition or return an intermittent fever, recurrent attacks of the hives; periodic refers to something that recurs at more or less regular intervals periodic economic crises; alternate is usually used of two recurrent things that succeed each other in turns alternate stripes of blue and white, a life of alternate sorrow and joy