fitful

adjective

fit·​ful ˈfit-fəl How to pronounce fitful (audio)
1
obsolete : characterized by fits or paroxysms
2
: having an erratic or intermittent character : irregular
fitfully adverb
fitfulness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for fitful

fitful, spasmodic, convulsive mean lacking steadiness or regularity in movement.

fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings.

fitful sleep

spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity.

spasmodic growth

convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.

convulsive shocks

Examples of fitful in a Sentence

He had a few fitful hours of sleep. Several fitful attempts at negotiation have failed.
Recent Examples on the Web The fitful U-turns have become a familiar ritual for some establishment Republicans who have at first resisted Trump’s resurgence, only to switch course as his march to the nomination appears increasingly inevitable. Marianna Sotomayor, Washington Post, 25 Jan. 2024 The path to the hostage deal was painful and painstaking, one marked by fitful progress, deep mistrust, terrible choices and moments when the whole thing was on the verge of unraveling. Peter Baker, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023 The Biden administration’s new eagerness to reassert a U.S. role in the Middle East—beyond its fitful attempts to constrain Iran’s nuclear program—will also help. Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2023 For more than a decade, there have been two competing efforts underway on nuclear waste, both fitful and incomplete—and unsuccessful. Geoffrey H. Fettus, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2023 In the women themselves, and in their awkward, fitful ascent into a mystifying ordeal that’s full of misjudgment. K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2023 If Paul and Angus’ mutual loathing is spelled out with grating obviousness, their moments of genuine bonding and fitful reconciliation are too often pushed to the margins or relegated to a glossy acoustic-rock montage. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023 Writer-director Rebecca Miller executes that balancing act with lighthearted audacity in a film that aspires, with fitful success, to resurrect the lost art of screwball comedy — with some literal opera thrown in for musical measure. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2023 Efforts since 2021 have been fitful because of policy disagreements, leadership changes, and competing priorities. Chris Miller and David Talbot, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fitful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fitful was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near fitful

Cite this Entry

“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fitful. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fitful

adjective
fit·​ful ˈfit-fəl How to pronounce fitful (audio)
: not regular : restless
fitful sleep
fitfully adverb
fitfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fitful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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