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 twin moves represent a sharp contrast to the early months of the Trump administration, which were characterized by fitful attempts to coax Russia into a ceasefire as part of a broader rapprochement.
—
semafor.com, 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
But, a few minutes into the journey, the train came to a fitful stop.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fitful
semafor.com, 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
But, a few minutes into the journey, the train came to a fitful stop.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
Adjective
-
Rogers continued to make sporadic appearances on General Hospital throughout the next decade, and since 2019, had appeared as a recurring character.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
This approach is safer and more sustainable than sporadic AI projects or the unregulated use of tools.—
Mike Kiersey,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Cast-iron pots and pans require occasional seasoning to restore a fading nonstick surface.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
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True leadership development isn’t about checking a box with occasional training.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet intermittent fasting can upset the menstrual cycle, and women lose muscle mass from caloric restriction more rapidly than men.—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The surge in the data centers' water use comes as Texas endures prolonged drought, with about a quarter of the state still experiencing dry conditions despite intermittent heavy rain and flooding.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Aug. 2025
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Be aware of sudden re-direction of fires in response to passing outflow boundaries.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The tech industry can be easy to hate—the erratic CEOs, the biased algorithms, the environmental damage.—
Sarah Rose Etter,
The Atlantic,
6 Aug. 2025
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As observed through their youngest daughter as the film’s protagonist, a family of six’s move to a new home seems to trigger erratic, dangerous behavior in their oldest son.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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