as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
your hit-or-miss schedule for taking your medication is going to land you in the hospital again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in randomly
without definite aim, direction, rule, or method
I was learning Spanish hit or miss, mostly just by hearing my friends speak it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hit-or-miss
Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
Although its interface works well, the actual recommendations are hit-or-miss.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
Taylor Haught, Sacbee.com, 5 Jan. 2026
The offense has been hit or miss since Bedard’s injury.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hit-or-miss
Adjective
Brown has been extremely hit-or-miss this season.
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
Although its interface works well, the actual recommendations are hit-or-miss.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
But the visa situation is complicated, and the infrastructure is hit or miss.
—Taylor Haught, Sacbee.com, 5 Jan. 2026
The offense has been hit or miss since Bedard’s injury.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hit-or-miss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit-or-miss
Adjective
-
These aren’t random clearance leftovers—they’re practical, stylish finds that’ll carry you straight into spring trips and beyond.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
-
No more random goons without background checks, and fire all who never should have been hired.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The multiplier is automatically included and randomly assigned for every play at the time of purchase.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
7 Mar. 2026
-
While that’s a common approach for rare diseases, it isn’t considered as reliable as studies where patients are randomly assigned to get treatment or a placebo.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And in legislative committees and in debate on Wednesday, sponsors of the new requirement didn’t cite evidence of more than scattered cases in which non-citizens may have voted.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The scattered protests erupted Saturday at universities following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during anti-government rallies.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The result is essentially an arbitrary purity test that tightens capital access necessary for creating American jobs and stimulating local economies.—
Krish O'Mara Vignarajah,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
-
When individuals cross an arbitrary age threshold and are expected to step aside, society signals that relevance has an expiration date.—
Klaus Schwab,
Time,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Oviedo has been excellent in each of his last two outings after a somewhat erratic spring debut, most recently striking out four over 3 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday’s win over the Rays.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But the woman’s time on the stand was also contentious and erratic at times.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hit-or-miss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit-or-miss. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
