frag·men·tary
ˈfrag-mən-ˌter-ē 
: consisting of fragments : incomplete
fragmentary evidence
a fragmentary account
plural -es
: the quality or state of being fragmentary
the fragmentariness of our approach and the unsystematic nature of our categories—
Anna G. Hatcher
Anna G. Hatcherexasperated by the fragmentariness of the facts at my disposal—W. S. Maugham
W. S. MaughamExamples of fragmentary in a Sentence
Adjective
discovering fragmentary remains of primitive animals
the historical record of this pharaoh's life and reign is fragmentary at best
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
That hypothesis remains tentative; the fossil record is fragmentary enough that ruling out opportunistic or scavenging behavior is difficult.
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Yet the novel, while uniquely contemporary, joins a larger canon of fragmentary novels that resonate in our digital age of dwindling attention spans.
—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Hi-hats and snares appear in fragmentary bursts, icy synths precipitate and evaporate, and Zel slithers wryly in the cut.
—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fragmentary
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.
Adjective
Some lives are permitted to remain fragmentary.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
That hypothesis remains tentative; the fossil record is fragmentary enough that ruling out opportunistic or scavenging behavior is difficult.
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Yet the novel, while uniquely contemporary, joins a larger canon of fragmentary novels that resonate in our digital age of dwindling attention spans.
—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Hi-hats and snares appear in fragmentary bursts, icy synths precipitate and evaporate, and Zel slithers wryly in the cut.
—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fragmentary
Cite this Entry
“Fragmentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fragmentary. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fragmentary
adjective
frag·men·tary
ˈfrag-mən-ˌter-ē
: made up of fragments : incomplete
a fragmentary report
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
