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
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
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And while sporadic outbreaks have occurred since 2000, recent case counts are nothing compared with the 27,000 cases reported in 1990 or the 450,000 cases reported in 1964.—
Joe Murphy,
NBC news,
8 May 2025
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And there has been one since then, five years ago, but clearly your own recorded output is on the sporadic side, taking a big back seat to the songwriting.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Goygol includes 65,000 residents, prim parks, tall pines and occasional Tyrolean architecture.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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With some occasional help from the Rockies, who committed three errors and one big mental mistake, the Padres (24-13) scored in five different innings.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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According to devotees—especially followers of ketogenic and paleo diets or intermittent fasting—this intriguing combo boosts energy and concentration.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2025
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Over time, this loop of expectation and intermittent reward can create addictive behavioral patterns similar to those seen in gambling.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The band’s message may have got slightly lost, however, amid their acid-trip screen visuals, military drag, and the climactic near-naked reveals, not to mention the sudden appearance of a rocket-straddling Vladimir Lenin impersonator who looked more like the Smurfs’ arch-nemesis Gargamel.—
Nick Allen,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
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In practical terms, a sudden revocation of a nonprofit’s status would instantly derail PSLF credit for its employees through no fault of their own.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The president’s erratic policies are raising concerns the economy might be headed for a downturn, but history suggests that franchise values will continue to climb regardless.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
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On May 17, the sun will join forces with change-maker Uranus in Taurus, which is equivalent to a spontaneous, unpredictable or erratic shift that could feel like too much too soon.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
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