1
obsolete
: characterized by fits or paroxysms
2
: having an erratic or intermittent character : irregular
fitfulness
noun
Synonyms
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
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
In the meantime, Gauff is providing a special kind of enjoyment to attentive fans of hers: the pleasure—absorbing, fitful, at times remarkable—of watching so promising and ambitious and captivating a player become.
—Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2023
It was damaged in a tornado in 2019, then reopened right before a fitful COVID-pandemic shut it back down.
—Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, 14 Aug. 2023
The promises and perils of AI have emerged as major concerns in Washington this year, but the policymaking on the matter has been fitful.
—Tory Newmyer, Anchorage Daily News, 27 July 2023
Since shedding her black gown in a fitful moment of onstage catharsis, Lafourcade has emerged in a pale blue cotton caftan, reborn.
—Sofia Andrade, Washington Post, 25 July 2023
Latin America’s last hundred years were ones of fitful economic gains, brutal dictatorships and tentative democracies, and complicated relations with the ascendant global superpower next door, the United States.
—Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022
Non-maternal Barbie (Robbie) towers over these fitful tykes, shadowing them like Kubrick’s black slab and inspiring violent resistance.
—Armond White, National Review, 19 July 2023
Former Vice President Al Gore appeared on Meet The Press last Sunday to discuss the threat of climate change and the world’s fitful efforts to build a sustainable future.
—Benjy Sarlin, NBC News, 27 July 2022
See More
Chris Miller and David Talbot, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2023
In the meantime, Gauff is providing a special kind of enjoyment to attentive fans of hers: the pleasure—absorbing, fitful, at times remarkable—of watching so promising and ambitious and captivating a player become.
—Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2023
It was damaged in a tornado in 2019, then reopened right before a fitful COVID-pandemic shut it back down.
—Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, 14 Aug. 2023
The promises and perils of AI have emerged as major concerns in Washington this year, but the policymaking on the matter has been fitful.
—Tory Newmyer, Anchorage Daily News, 27 July 2023
Since shedding her black gown in a fitful moment of onstage catharsis, Lafourcade has emerged in a pale blue cotton caftan, reborn.
—Sofia Andrade, Washington Post, 25 July 2023
Latin America’s last hundred years were ones of fitful economic gains, brutal dictatorships and tentative democracies, and complicated relations with the ascendant global superpower next door, the United States.
—Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022
Non-maternal Barbie (Robbie) towers over these fitful tykes, shadowing them like Kubrick’s black slab and inspiring violent resistance.
—Armond White, National Review, 19 July 2023
Former Vice President Al Gore appeared on Meet The Press last Sunday to discuss the threat of climate change and the world’s fitful efforts to build a sustainable future.
—Benjy Sarlin, NBC News, 27 July 2022
See More
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
Etymology
First Known Use
1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near fitful
Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fitful. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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