as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
a night of fitful sleep did not leave me feeling well rested the next morning
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fitful
The next day is more of the same, and a keen reminder that this is Indiana men’s basketball in its scope, and a keen reminder that this is Indiana men’s basketball in the fitful stages of transition, all at once.
—
Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Take the Los Angeles Dodgers and the team’s fitful response to the immigration raids terrorizing large swaths of its fan base.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
If there is no serious reckoning that attempts to rebuild presidential accountability for foreign policy, then Americans should expect not only more military parades but also more military misadventures, unpredictable trade relations, and fitful foreign-policy making in a very uncertain future.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
Fitbit’s exceedingly fitful progress allowed competitors to get to market first.
—Brian Santo, IEEE Spectrum, 7 Nov. 2019
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Take the Los Angeles Dodgers and the team’s fitful response to the immigration raids terrorizing large swaths of its fan base.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
If there is no serious reckoning that attempts to rebuild presidential accountability for foreign policy, then Americans should expect not only more military parades but also more military misadventures, unpredictable trade relations, and fitful foreign-policy making in a very uncertain future.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
Fitbit’s exceedingly fitful progress allowed competitors to get to market first.
—Brian Santo, IEEE Spectrum, 7 Nov. 2019
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
Adjective
-
Silksong was first announced in 2019, and after sporadic details and development promises, the DLC turned full release was given a formal release date just two weeks ago — causing mayhem like the Eras Tour movie for other game releases.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Their appearance is sporadic and unpredictable.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The boats offer a low-effort way to spy on some of the coolest marine life in the region, including bat rays and even the occasional shark.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
-
By night, Criel entertains guests for intimate dinners — and the occasional artistic performance.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, subsidies continue to favor intermittent renewables over firm capacity.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Among the variations to consider are situations where one career takes the most time, or one is intermittent, or both are part-time or perhaps seasonal.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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The condition causes sudden weakness or paralysis in muscles on one side of the face and is, in most cases, temporary, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Between February and May, when Dudek’s tenure ended, his erratic rhetoric and decisions routinely made front-page news.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
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Dyrdhal knew all too well Gooden’s penchant for erratic violence.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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