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
If there is no serious reckoning that attempts to rebuild presidential accountability for foreign policy, then Americans should expect not only more military parades but also more military misadventures, unpredictable trade relations, and fitful foreign-policy making in a very uncertain future.
—
Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
But, a few minutes into the journey, the train came to a fitful stop.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
So here’s the short take: Washington is fine, a bit unsure of his characterization occasionally and fitful in his mood shifts.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025
Now, 36 years later, this fitful odyssey of justice approaches its latest and most significant destination.
—Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
But, a few minutes into the journey, the train came to a fitful stop.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
So here’s the short take: Washington is fine, a bit unsure of his characterization occasionally and fitful in his mood shifts.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025
Now, 36 years later, this fitful odyssey of justice approaches its latest and most significant destination.
—Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
Adjective
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However, reaching these outcomes takes more than just sporadic posts.—
Jonathan Schwartz,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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The monsoon season is now here and has brought deadly flash flooding along old burn scars in Ruidoso, New Mexico, while distributing sporadic rain in the state’s Gila National Forest.—
Abe Streep,
ProPublica,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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There are occasional boring stretches, along with confounding ones.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
3 Aug. 2025
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Limited closet space may mean that following the one in, one out rule isn't just an occasional practice but is necessary in order to prevent your wardrobe from bursting at the seams!—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The five-time All-Star reportedly committed to a gluten-free, low-sugar diet that was founded upon intermittent fasting and consuming at least 250 grams of protein daily.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
28 July 2025
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Grid-scale batteries to store renewable energy—an important means of making the intermittent energy supply from sun and wind match times of energy demand—were scarce in 2015.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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While some seemed excited about Buck's sudden appearance, some speculated about the possibility of Stephanopoulos leaving the show.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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Then Kings of Leon and Black Keys come out of Nashville and then all of a sudden the diversity of the music that was coming out of there started to really grow over a short period of time.—
Melonee Hurt,
The Tennessean,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Between unfamiliar foods, erratic routines, and stress, your digestive system ends up overloaded and under-supported.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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But the series has met fan derision, whether over Carrie’s often typically erratic emotional behavior (chiding Miranda for eating her yogurt?—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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