choppy

adjective

ˈchä-pē How to pronounce choppy (audio)
Definition of choppynext
1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence a sharp, choppy wind coming off the lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rough
marked by a series of sharp quick motions the old cable car provides a picturesque but choppy ride to the mountain's peak

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in confusing
not clearly or logically connected the plot was intriguing, but the author's style was so choppy that I finally gave up in frustration

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of choppy Elordi’s performance is a fine one, but any emotional current from the screen to the audience is made choppy by mawkish blasts to the past, Hig at the edge of his bed, head in hands. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2026 Amazon is in choppy waters after accidentally leaking Jason Statham‘s latest big-budget action pic Mutiny on its Prime Video service days before the movie is released in theaters. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026 The choppy waters of Rosario Strait were only the latest obstacle in the tribe's effort to bring sunflower stars back to traditional Samish territory. — John Ryan, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026 Instead of a choppy, headbanger shag, try a lighter, cozier version. — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for choppy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choppy
  1. sporadic
  2. rough
  3. confusing
  4. occasional
  5. uneven
  6. inconsistent
  7. intermittent
  8. bumpy
Adjective
  • While Cannes has been far more sporadic in its support of the form, and Berlin tends to offer quantity at the expense of quality, Venice has consistently brought the bangers — and the 2026 selection looks to be among its best yet.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The clear-cutting of swaths of trees led to sporadic dust storms while, at night, the data center’s bright white lights can be seen from their homes and obscure the stars, according to the complaint.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of sporadic
Adjective
  • His rough exterior and no-nonsense approach tend to typecast him as a football machine devoid of personality or emotion.
    — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Mercury's rough surface, continually reshaped by debris hurled from impact craters, may have hidden the true extent of the loss, according to the researchers whose findings appear in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • Her coaching staff has worn IM8 swag, though things can get confusing because her coach, Anton Dubrov, is now part of the Eight Sleep team.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The decade-long fight — including the defeat of county efforts to keep the sand open to all, flip-flopping state laws and landowner lawsuits — has left beachgoers to navigate a confusing patchwork of beach access.
    — Debbie Elliott, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of confusing
Adjective
  • Church bells, owl hoots and sprinklers keeping the grass hydrated during this dry spell fill the space between the occasional motor trudging along a main road devoid of commotion.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Alongside producing glassware and private commissions, the studio hosts occasional workshops in glass engraving and open houses.
    — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • Heat and uneven rainfall have stressed forests in some areas, while timely moisture has kept others lush.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Waterproof formula—but doesn’t feel like a typical waterproof foundation, which can feel heavy and settle into uneven texture.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • Von Arx, one of the researchers, said the behavior appeared inconsistent with what OpenAI would intentionally want its agents to do.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities stopped vehicles owned by Metur associates 14 times in the back half of August, with reviews of drivers' documents that lasted up to an hour, van Duijnhoven said, and punishments that were inconsistent and severe.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of inconsistent
Adjective
  • Only 26% of experts said that intermittent fasting was effective for healthy aging.
    — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • With intermittent rain in the forecast over the next week, some sessions could be rescheduled or delayed for hours, corralling fans and shortening the time players have to recover for their next round.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of intermittent
Adjective
  • Getting candid about her split with ex-husband, Stranger Things star David Harbour, Allen gave fans a glimpse into a bumpy and heartbreaking period of her life.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The University of Miami freshman documented her bumpy start to school last week, and having to leave home for the first time.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of bumpy

Browse Nearby Words

chopping (down)
choppy
chops
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Cite this Entry

“Choppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choppy. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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