What is the opposite of "always"?

The concept of "always" implies that something occurs at all times without exception. Therefore, the opposite of "always" is best represented by "rarely," which indicates that an event occurs infrequently or with considerable intervals between occurrences. This contrasts sharply with the idea of "always," as it suggests that an action or event happens only occasionally, if at all.

In comparison, terms like "infrequently," "typically," and "consistently" do not capture the same notion of rarity. "Infrequently" suggests that something happens not often but doesn't emphasize the relative scarcity as strongly as "rarely." "Typically" implies a common occurrence, while "consistently" denotes reliability and regularity, far removed from the idea of something happening rarely. Thus, "rarely" is the most fitting opposite, as it highlights the lack of regularity implied by "always."