: sometimes successful and sometimes not : not reliably good or successful

Examples of hit-and-miss in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And there is, of course, uncertainty in partnering with any movie due to the hit-and-miss nature of Hollywood. Louis Biscotti, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024 The rest of the match was hit-and-miss from both players, with Raducanu eventually employing a bit more variety to take advantage of her opponent’s wayward forehand and weak serve. Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 1 July 2024 Their spending on players has been unprecedented — more than $1 billion in the first three full transfer windows — but hit-and-miss, while the regime is onto its third permanent manager in Mauricio Pochettino. Steve Douglas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2024 Global Strategy Insights Global research conducted for my latest book, Work-Life Bloom, suggests that leaders and organizations are in a 'hit-and-miss' situation regarding strategy and its effectiveness with team members. Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 This is fairly hit-and-miss — there are lots of references and hyper online deep cuts. Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2024 Some users have reported limited success flashing firmware using Samsung's Odin to avoid losing data to a factory reset, although that seems to be very hit-and-miss. Joe Hindy, PCMAG, 3 Oct. 2024 Theatrical releases have become pricey hit-and-miss situations, but the streaming results put Wolfs in the win column for Apple, which has signed Watts to script to direct a sequel. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2024 So these detection models are still really hit-and-miss. Leah Feiger, WIRED, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hit-and-miss was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near hit-and-miss

Cite this Entry

“Hit-and-miss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hit-and-miss. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

hit-and-miss

adjective
ˌhit-ᵊn-ˈmis
: sometimes successful and sometimes not : haphazard

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