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
Signs of fitful progress appear Despite increasingly authoritarian governments in many parts of Asia and the rest of the world, there are some encouraging signs.
—
Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Already, 10 times more water evaporates off Arizona’s arid landscape and fitful rivers.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Her daughter had fitful nights sleeping.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
The adoption of new norms for both maternity and paternity leave remains fitful, so researchers could probe how work cultures disincentivize taking leave—and therefore having children.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Already, 10 times more water evaporates off Arizona’s arid landscape and fitful rivers.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Her daughter had fitful nights sleeping.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
The adoption of new norms for both maternity and paternity leave remains fitful, so researchers could probe how work cultures disincentivize taking leave—and therefore having children.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
Adjective
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The data points to a genuine enhancement in the sporadic fireball background at the large-object end of the size distribution.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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The two sides have engaged in sporadic retaliatory aerial attacks in recent years, though the fighting between them had largely simmered down in recent months.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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At a moment when our attention is fractured across phones, feeds, and tabs, the gap between occasional readers and obsessive ones has never felt wider.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
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Wild temperature swings and occasional chances of rain remain in the forecast through the rest of the week.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Understood as intermittent organisms rather than monumental events, biennials can expand and contract.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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His mission — to halt his body’s natural response to time and gravity — includes numerous hours in the gym, intermittent fasting, red light therapy and swallowing over 100 supplements each day.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Skarsgård’s character James ejaculating at the beach after a sudden handjob by Mia Goth’s freewheeling Gabi.—
Gustavo Turner,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Washington’s commitment has been erratic.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Sam must deal with erratic Mob enforcer Nicky (Joe Pesci) and his own con artist wife, Ginger (Sharon Stone), who still has a personal relationship with her boyfriend/pimp.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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