discontinuous

adjective

ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs How to pronounce discontinuous (audio)
Definition of discontinuousnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 discontinuous 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 But the fact that Flights is a novel seems somehow more true-to-life in the way that our lives, yours and mine, are discontinuous, fragmented, full of returns and departures, progress and regression. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for discontinuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discontinuous
  1. sporadic
  2. intermittent
  3. occasional
  4. sudden
  5. irregular
Adjective
  • Consultants test every element of how to get people — often people who pay only sporadic attention to politics — to open a message and then open their wallets.
    — Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • The only other competitors were the Anglo-French Concorde and the sporadic Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 program.
    — David Szondy July 02, New Atlas, 2 July 2026
Definition of sporadic
Adjective
  • The road will remain open, but travelers should expect delays, including intermittent lane closures in both directions, according to a county news release.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
  • Proponents didn’t view the plan as a cure-all but called it a step toward breaking the cycle of intermittent attention by making civilian protection a year-round mission.
    — Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 6 July 2026
Definition of intermittent
Adjective
  • While no one wants a bad night's sleep, most of us experience occasional sleep disruptions stemming from familiar culprits like late-night doomscrolling, too much caffeine, stress or an inconsistent bedtime routine.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • Solar power and advanced water recycling systems would eliminate the need for utility hookups, only requiring occasional deliveries of potable water and propane to run the systems.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
  • The 61-year-old was treated in Greece for neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns, after a sudden cabin depressurization triggered oxygen masks and a rapid descent.
    — Costas Kantouris, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of sudden
Adjective
  • If desired, press irregular edges in toward the centers to form round burgers.
    — Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026
  • Even accounting for its irregular shape, this must still be true.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
Definition of irregular

Browse Nearby Words

discontinuity
discontinuous
discontinuously
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Cite this Entry

“Discontinuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discontinuous. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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