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
Beyond the results and the outcome, given what this team has dealt with and the noise and fitful transformation that was foisted upon the organization as a result of broken internal dynamics earlier this year, it’s been a welcome development to simply watch the Canucks compete as a team again.
—
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
In the twentieth century, the Soviet Union viewed China—at least until the Sino-Soviet split of the 1960s—as a poorer cousin, a country to be steered and helped along in its fitful progress toward respectability.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Aug. 2022
These factors occur against the backdrop of fitful wage growth and climbing inflation, with everyday prices for housing, energy and groceries bedeviling Americans.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
The subway’s recovery from the pandemic has been fitful, a tale of stops and starts.
—Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
In the twentieth century, the Soviet Union viewed China—at least until the Sino-Soviet split of the 1960s—as a poorer cousin, a country to be steered and helped along in its fitful progress toward respectability.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Aug. 2022
These factors occur against the backdrop of fitful wage growth and climbing inflation, with everyday prices for housing, energy and groceries bedeviling Americans.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
The subway’s recovery from the pandemic has been fitful, a tale of stops and starts.
—Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
Adjective
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Iran needs nuclear energy to meet the demands of its growing population; sporadic blackouts are already commonplace.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
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It’s sparked protests, vandalism and sporadic clashes with police that prompted President Trump to send military troops to downtown L.A., sparking questions over state rights.—
Libor Jany,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Colorado and Arizona State offer little more than an occasional flash.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
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Allegedly set between Episode III and IV, with some occasional flashback episodes, the series would delve into aspects of the Star Wars universe that hadn't been explored before, such as different criminal factions operating across Coruscant.—
Daryl Baxter,
Space.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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That amounts to success through delay—a repeatable outcome, sustained through intermittent precision attacks.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Despite the relentless pre-match hype montages, intermittent deluges of FIFA self-congratulation and the blasting of Robbie Williams’ hilariously self-parodic tournament theme song at half-time.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Parents recall toddler's medical emergency that led to rare diagnosis Stephanie and Kris Thomas of Illinois jumped into action when their 2-year-old experienced sudden cardiac arrest in the middle of the night.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2025
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The sudden news of the pay raise has sparked hope for the future of cheerleaders.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Trump’s erratic approach to trade is converging with other economic and technological policies to undermine the United States’ preeminent role.—
REBECCA LISSNER,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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The fact that the story works at all despite its bizarre tonal shifts and erratic pacing is a testament to how strong the game’s themes and characterization truly are.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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