as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
the novel captures the discontinuous nature of a soldier's life: long stretches of boredom interrupted by flashes of action
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Recent Examples of discontinuous
In the current conflict, Hamas attacked Israel with much greater sophistication and scale than ever before—a massive, discontinuous change.
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Amy Zegart, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2023
Abstract: Tasks involving locally unstable or discontinuous dynamics (such as bifurcations and collisions) remain challenging in robotics, because small variations in the environment can have a significant impact on task outcomes.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2023
The world is in the early stages of a vast and likely discontinuous energy transition that will match the Industrial Revolution in its hard-to-anticipate effects.
—Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
The film does not try to hide the digital stitches that bind together discontinuous elements.
—Abraham Villa Figueroa, Variety, 11 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for discontinuous 
Amy Zegart, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2023
Abstract: Tasks involving locally unstable or discontinuous dynamics (such as bifurcations and collisions) remain challenging in robotics, because small variations in the environment can have a significant impact on task outcomes.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2023
The world is in the early stages of a vast and likely discontinuous energy transition that will match the Industrial Revolution in its hard-to-anticipate effects.
—Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
The film does not try to hide the digital stitches that bind together discontinuous elements.
—Abraham Villa Figueroa, Variety, 11 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for discontinuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discontinuous
Adjective
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The friends exchanged sporadic texts over subsequent months but never saw each other in person after that.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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Such an approach to celebration helps create a sustainable culture where innovation thrives continuously rather than in sporadic bursts.Alain Hunkins, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Hegseth and his supporters have defended his resume, which includes degrees from Princeton and Harvard and intermittent service over 20 years in the Army National Guard, which included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, achieving the rank of major, and advocating for veterans.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
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Like other parts of the home, toilets need intermittent repairs, especially to their valves, gaskets, and flanges—not to mention the occasional toilet unclogging.Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Steinem has long-term plans to make her home a place where women can gather for discussion and occasional refuge.Sarah Medford, Architectural Digest, 12 Dec. 2024
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Whatever your choice, preparation and recovery are key to maintaining healthy skin while enjoying occasional drinks (or not), Dr. Kohli concludes.Sanjana Ray, Glamour, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
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At the time, Variety reported the sudden move was likely a way for Warner Bros. Discovery to cut streaming-content costs.Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 14 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near discontinuous
Cite this Entry
“Discontinuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discontinuous. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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