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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 fitful
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
Walkers never have to lug their own suitcases or spend a fitful night on the cold, hard ground.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for fitful
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
Walkers never have to lug their own suitcases or spend a fitful night on the cold, hard ground.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for fitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
Adjective
-
But the absence of The Rock—the catalyst of this entire turn—throughout the entire build of WrestleMania, mixed with the sporadic appearances from Cena, hurt the storytelling of what could have been a deeply complex villain.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Justin Turner has been among those helping Workman navigate his first experience with life in the big leagues and sporadic playing time.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The house that the Americans strategically position themselves in is home to two families; there are occasional insert shots of family photos and trinkets, and at several points these families are shown cowering, terrified by what’s happening around them.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Burnout goes beyond the occasional tough day at work.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Based on the research, participants lost about 7 to 11 pounds over 10 weeks while intermittent fasting.18 Remember, fad diets are not healthy for you, especially long term.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The pair are searching for the source of a particular beep: the intermittent ping that a smoke alarm makes when its battery is running low.—
Kirk Johnson,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Several conditions may cause sudden vision loss, such as an eye injury.—
Heidi Cope,
Health,
19 Apr. 2025
-
All of a sudden, something that was a huge source of joy in my grandparents’ life became a challenge.—
Katie Akin,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But Trump’s erratic purge of the federal workforce has undermined those very efforts.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
28 Apr. 2025
-
In the meantime, crowds braved erratic weather for a festive opening weekend, and even early on a Monday morning, neighbors had already begun to converge, attracted by the new sod, tender trees, and open plaza that makes this 165-year-old wedge of nature look fresh and young again.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share