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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Recent Examples of fitful
Already, 10 times more water evaporates off Arizona’s arid landscape and fitful rivers.
—
Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Her daughter had fitful nights sleeping.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
The adoption of new norms for both maternity and paternity leave remains fitful, so researchers could probe how work cultures disincentivize taking leave—and therefore having children.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
After a few years of fitful growth, the Coop was having trouble keeping the store running.
—The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Her daughter had fitful nights sleeping.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
The adoption of new norms for both maternity and paternity leave remains fitful, so researchers could probe how work cultures disincentivize taking leave—and therefore having children.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
After a few years of fitful growth, the Coop was having trouble keeping the store running.
—The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
Adjective
-
The project used to operate through private events and sporadic public appearances.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Perhaps both movements could have animated each other; perhaps the subsequent fight for women’s suffrage would have been less sporadic and slow.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is in contrast to assurances from local officials that people are safe and life can carry on as normal — albeit with occasional missile alerts and widespread school closures.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
This tournament works here because this city does not treat international baseball as an occasional event.—
Noah Gulley,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Some district schools and offices experienced intermittent power outages throughout the day, including Marriott's Ridge High School, which lost power for about 30 minutes during the school day.—
Janay Reece,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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The latest to be published looks at whether intermittent fasting — a practice of limiting eating to only a few hours each day — is an effective way to lose weight.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While humans can guide robots remotely, the process is mentally exhausting and often too slow to prevent sudden failures.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
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Now, all of a sudden, there are many acting opportunities.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Soon came news of the return of star tight end Travis Kelce, a vital presence whose encore season on the surface doesn’t signify change but figures to be in a modified role as the Chiefs should be compelled to fortify what faded into an erratic wide receiver corps.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
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The officers said her behavior was erratic, per court documents.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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