DISCONTINUOUS Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

discontinuous

adjective

ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs

Definition of discontinuous

as in sporadic

lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence the novel captures the discontinuous nature of a soldier's life: long stretches of boredom interrupted by flashes of action

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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 discontinuous This eerie sensation is further enhanced by elliptical editing that seamlessly skips back and forth in time across the span of just a few days, creating a sense of fluidity across what should feel discontinuous. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026 Each take has this in and out that sounds discontinuous. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025 When reinforced with discontinuous fibers, vitrimers, a class of plastic, can be reshaped repeatedly, crushed, and molded into new forms many times without their chemical structure degrading. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2025 Increased spotting potential east of the PCT exists, however, these spots have low potential for spread due to sparse, discontinuous vegetation or they can be accessed and suppressed by firefighting resources. — Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for discontinuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discontinuous

Adjective

Despite the drumbeat of warnings and sporadic enforcement, there is widespread defiance of official regulations, especially among young Iranian women.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
But Iran continues to mount sporadic attacks against shipping and assert its claim over the strait.

— Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of sporadic

Adjective

None of this means intermittent fasting is a cure for ongoing pain and anxiety, of course.

— Mike McRae August 25, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
Television released one more album in the Nineties and played intermittent reunions over the following decades, but officially dissolved in 2023 following the death of frontman Tom Verlaine.

— Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of intermittent

Adjective

When Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, her family spent months in a bomb shelter, risking only occasional visits back to their apartment.

— Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
The Sox entered Tuesday ranked last in the majors with 561 innings pitched by starters — a number impacted in part by their occasional use of an opener.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of occasional

Adjective

Officials are still investigating the exact cause, though preliminary assessments suggest an ice avalanche may have blocked a river upstream in Tibet, triggering the sudden outburst flood.

— Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
The concierge can be contacted via WhatsApp, but response times can be slow during varying rush hours; for example, a sudden tropical rainstorm might inspire half the resort to call in for room service.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sudden

Adjective

Their compensation increasingly arrives in large, irregular blocks such as vested company stock, bonuses and deferred comp.

— Meredith Moore, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Although overall irregular migration numbers were down over the previous year across Europe in the first five months of this year, many continue to risk their lives to reach the continent, and some routes do show an increase.

— Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of irregular

Browse Nearby Words

discontinuity

discontinuous

discontinuously

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“Discontinuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discontinuous. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of discontinuous

adjective

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