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
And no detail has been overlooked: Don’t worry about fitful sleep at 12,000 feet above sea level in a suite at this hotel, since oxygen’s piped into the 55 rooms to improve the air quality.
—
Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 28 July 2025
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
Those were troubled times, fitful and disillusioning for many.
—Kurt L. Schmoke, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 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
Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 28 July 2025
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
Those were troubled times, fitful and disillusioning for many.
—Kurt L. Schmoke, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 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
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Because, well, our relationship was always so sporadic.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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Despite sporadic staff shortages at air traffic control facilities across the country since the shutdown began, flight operations have been largely normal.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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So Fernandez ended up scoring two goals and incessantly bothering the Charlotte FC players with his ball skills and occasional extracurricular activity.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
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As a durable and washable rug brand, Ruggable is one of our favorite destinations for outdoor rugs, kids rugs, and even the occasional doormat or entryway piece.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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These include electric vehicles with extended driving ranges, large-scale renewable energy storage systems that can balance intermittent solar and wind power, and lightweight, flexible power sources for portable and wearable electronics.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
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Countries also need to work on better connecting intermittent renewables — those which work only when the sun shines or the wind blows — with batteries that can store their energy.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Excluding disasters, sudden surges of this magnitude in requests for food or any other need are rare at 211s, and can signal both public worry and need, as happened in the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Matthew W. Kreuter,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Rybakina is one of the purest ballstrikers on the tour, whose all-or-nothing game can veer from erratic to unplayable in the space of a few games.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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Such a loss represents a squandered opportunity for the franchise — and yet another erratic data point in a confusing and unpredictable Panthers season.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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