variants or less commonly episodical
Synonyms of episodicnext
1
: made up of separate especially loosely connected episodes
2
: having the form of an episode
3
: of or limited in duration or significance to a particular episode : temporary
… may be able to establish whether the sea-floor spreading is continuous or episodic …—A. I. Hammond
4
: occurring, appearing, or changing at usually irregular intervals : occasional
an episodic illness

Examples of episodic in a Sentence

the long novel was filmed for television as an episodic movie that was shown over the course of five evenings malaria is characterized by episodic attacks of chills and fever that coincide with mass destruction of blood cells
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Harjo’s previous series, Reservation Dogs, excelled at the episodic experience of abruptly dropping into new tones and settings, and this season of The Lowdown regains that rhythm. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026 If the extra scripts get converted to an episodic order, that would bring Line of Fire‘s first season to 18 episodes, which would match the season length of a recent NBC drama known for its sophisticated storytelling, This Is Us. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026 While the episodic stories reflect the never-ending parade of tourists and partygoers, the show also provides Dennis and Rosa with long-term arcs. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 But the Iran example – and particularly the ongoing episodic closures of the Strait of Hormuz – is one of the best illustrations today of how merely invoking credibility to act is not the same as having an overall endgame strategy. — Christopher Nichols, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for episodic

Word History

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of episodic was in 1711

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Cite this Entry

“Episodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/episodic. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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