HIT-AND-MISS Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

hit-and-miss

adjective

Definition of hit-and-miss

as in haphazard

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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-and-miss Drew Allar, Penn State Allar has prototypical size, tantalizing arm strength and… well, hit-and-miss production. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026 Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond was more hit-and-miss, and Oregon State’s Silas Bolden had little impact other than letting punts bounce for extra yards time after time. — Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2026 But overall, styling is hit-and-miss on this one in my humble opinion. — New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026 And to say its fusillade of jokes is hit-and-miss would also be a charitable take. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hit-and-miss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit-and-miss

Adjective

Parenting was a haphazard experiment for even the best intentioned, and Helen and John observed their offspring, Bo, DH, and Mido, with profound fascination, as only parents can.

— Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Appalled by her haphazard selfies, Scott took over with the camera.

— Scott Westerfeld, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026

Definition of haphazard

Adjective

Oen Sujet’s catalog sounds equally like the product of a random number generator or a malfunctioning algorithm as of a deeply mercurial artist.

— Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026
That should show up in random DNA sequences only about once in 70 billion bases, and our genome is only about 3 billion bases.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026

Definition of random

Adjective

Netflix’s original programming has been rather hit-or-miss lately, with new seasons arriving with big viewership drops and, sometimes, sliding scores.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
This early in the forecast, yes, but they’ll be scattered and hit-or-miss.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 22 June 2026

Definition of hit-or-miss

Adjective

Some jokes, including a riff on the history of the Wright Brothers, feel vaguely Dada, as if Marino and Wain had spent a long, happy stretch of aimless days drinking coffee and free-associating.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
Liam, once aimless and unhoused, quickly finds purpose in the charade as a husband and father.

— Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 June 2026

Definition of aimless

Adjective

The impact of that shocking final scene is sufficient to send viewers out feeling enervated after what’s been a pretty desultory final act.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026
Where Bonnie and Clyde glamorizes its couple and their crimes, Loden renders Wanda passive and desultory in the lawless turn her life has taken.

— Air Mail, Air Mail, 23 May 2026

Definition of desultory

Adjective

In previous work, Sarkar and his colleagues developed a method capable of self-testing arbitrary quantum states and measurements.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
Retirement experts caution, though, that any arbitrary savings goal is of limited use, more a guidepost than a hard target.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Definition of arbitrary

Adjective

Summer is usually the busiest season for shelters, officials said, as more stray animals, owner surrenders and vulnerable kittens arrive across the five boroughs.

— Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026
The rescue comes as shelters across the region prepare for an influx of stray pets following Fourth of July celebrations, when fireworks often frighten dogs into running away from home.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Definition of stray

Browse Nearby Words

hit

hit-and-miss

hit-and-run

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“Hit-and-miss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit-and-miss. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hit-and-miss

adjective

Example Sentences

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