fitful

adjective

ˈfit-fəl How to pronounce fitful (audio)
Definition of fitfulnext
Enter your own sentence containing fitful , and get words to replace it.
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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fitful contrast with its synonyms?

The words convulsive and spasmodic are common synonyms of fitful. While all three words mean "lacking steadiness or regularity in movement," fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings.

fitful sleep

Where would convulsive be a reasonable alternative to fitful?

Although the words convulsive and fitful have much in common, convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.

convulsive shocks

How do spasmodic and fitful relate to one another?

Spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity.

spasmodic growth

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 Her power would return at 4 a.m., ending the fitful night. — Richard Ruelas, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2024 By Jack Flemming , Summer Lin, Hannah Fry and Ian James Jan. 8, 2025 3 PM PT A dry wind was already stirring when the sun rose over Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, fitful gusts whipping palm fronds seaward and making eucalyptus limbs creek and groan. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 8 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 Rage, grievance, and fitful dreams of an American autocracy won. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for fitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
  1. sporadic
  2. occasional
  3. intermittent
  4. sudden
  5. erratic
Adjective
  • Peoples Gas has been onsite multiple times over the winter and identified the boiler exhaust flue as a potential source of the sporadic smell, district officials said.
    — Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Local media did sporadic stories about the local flooding, but there were endless reports about Western NC, including from national news outlets.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of sporadic
Adjective
  • Even their occasional technical difficulties resolved into exhilarating feedback storms.
    — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Winds will increase during the afternoon hours, with occasional gusts to around 15 to 20 mph.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • Roughly 164 were returned to non-pay intermittent status, while the rest were returned to paid administrative leave.
    — Ashley Murray, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The 2025 season opener in Australia was an intense race for all F1 teams considering the intermittent rainfall that led them to shift tire strategies according to the varying conditions.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of intermittent
Adjective
  • Symptoms can include a sudden, severe headache, vomiting, neck stiffness and numbness or weakness on one side of the body or the face.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Among them was a trade group representing major foreign automakers like BMW, Honda, and Toyota—Autos Drive America—which agreed with Tesla that the USTR should slow Trump down and require considerations about long-term impacts of sudden actions to address unfair trade.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of sudden
Adjective
  • And as it’s been for most of the last few weeks, the market’s slide on Tuesday was erratic and dizzying.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In the year before she was killed, Mary had called BSO 14 times regarding Nathan’s threats and increasingly erratic behavior, according to a log of BSO calls that the Herald reviewed.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of erratic

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Cite this Entry

“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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