hit-or-miss

1 of 2

adjective

Synonyms of hit-or-missnext
: marked by a lack of care, forethought, system, or plan
also : hit-and-miss

hit or miss

2 of 2

adverb

: in a hit-or-miss manner : haphazardly

Examples of hit-or-miss in a Sentence

Adjective your hit-or-miss schedule for taking your medication is going to land you in the hospital again Adverb I was learning Spanish hit or miss, mostly just by hearing my friends speak it.
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.
Adjective
And while its status as an Academy Awards bellwether has been hit-or-miss over the years — particularly given the tumult surrounding the show and its members — recognition there can help boost a film’s prospects. Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026 These setups are bizarre, provocative, and often hit-or-miss. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2025
Adverb
Awards shows can be hit or miss for food, honestly. Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026 Buffets can be hit or miss, but some restaurants are still getting it right, and diners across the country have taken notice. Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hit-or-miss

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1669, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hit-or-miss was in 1609

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Hit-or-miss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hit-or-miss. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

hit or miss

adverb
: without plan, order, or direction : haphazardly
hit-or-miss
ˌhit-ər-ˈmis
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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