RARELY Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

rarely

adverb

ˈrer-lē

Definition of rarely

as in seldom

not often summer thunderstorms occur only rarely along the Oregon coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rarely But even for those species that nominally benefit from it, the law is very rarely enforced. — Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 24 Oct. 2026 However, researchers have rarely fabricated a diatomic Kagome lattice in an actual material. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026 Make the review a habit Insurance gaps rarely announce themselves. — Matthew Kayser, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Eisenkot, by contrast, will try to win the world back by being upfront about what his country is willing to accept and then negotiating honestly—two things that Netanyahu has rarely done. — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rarely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rarely

seldom

Adverb

Such a gamble could deepen Israel’s insecurity, but electoral desperation seldom improves anyone’s judgment.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
An explicit solution of Schrödinger’s equation was seldom required.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of seldom

Browse Nearby Words

rarefied

rarely

rareness

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“Rarely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rarely. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rarely

adverb

Example Sentences

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