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 subway’s recovery from the pandemic has been fitful, a tale of stops and starts.
—
Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025
Some of those effects include— Chronic fatigue and sleep disorders, including difficulty falling asleep, fitful sleep, poor sleep quality.
—Marie Bladt, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
Pyongyang began taking fitful steps toward a nuclear weapon during the Cold War, tested its first bomb in 2006, and today regularly issues nuclear threats against its southern neighbor.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
The window was usually propped open, and, when the music was off, the buzz of distant traffic and a fitful breeze entered.
—Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025
Some of those effects include— Chronic fatigue and sleep disorders, including difficulty falling asleep, fitful sleep, poor sleep quality.
—Marie Bladt, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
Pyongyang began taking fitful steps toward a nuclear weapon during the Cold War, tested its first bomb in 2006, and today regularly issues nuclear threats against its southern neighbor.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
The window was usually propped open, and, when the music was off, the buzz of distant traffic and a fitful breeze entered.
—Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
Adjective
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Though the May 31 eruption is the only one caught on official video, the USGS has received several reports of other sporadic eruptions over the past year.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
1 June 2025
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My spring crops were slow to develop this year, stifled by sporadic frosts and bouts of dry weather.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Having the occasional treat or missing a workout is okay.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
4 June 2025
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While a few breeds, such as the Turkish Van, are known to enjoy the occasional swim, the average house cat is famously water-averse.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Residents lack running water, use 5-gallon buckets as toilets and must contend with intermittent electricity and deteriorating homes that expose them to the region’s fierce weather.—
Emily Schwing,
ProPublica,
29 May 2025
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The issues appeared to be largely resolved by around 10 a.m., but some users experienced intermittent issues with the platform until about 11 a.m.—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Keep a safe distance: Leave a safe 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,
6 June 2025
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After Earps’ announcement, Wiegman was asked what her long-time goalkeeper’s sudden international retirement two months before a major tournament said about the unity of the team.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
In the wake of multiple plane crashes, and amid erratic federal policies and denials and detentions at border crossings, summer travel in the U.S. is in an uneasy state.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
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Orlov was statistically consistent, but his defensive play was often erratic.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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