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 Rage, grievance, and fitful dreams of an American autocracy won. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024 In July, Paramount Global reached a historic agreement for an $8 billion sale to David Ellison’s Skydance Media after almost a year of fitful negotiations. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 18 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 Experimentation is generally a slow and fitful process. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fitful 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
Adjective
  • Bird flu viruses typically don’t infect humans, aside from sporadic cases in people who have close contact with infected animals.
    Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Light, sporadic snow will continue in the Denver area through Sunday, forecasters said.
    Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Emma has been some fabulous version of blonde for quite some time now, interrupting her fair-haired streak with the occasional brunette detour.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Fortunately, President Donald Trump recognizes that pairing a big stick with an occasional carrot can shape adversaries’ behavior more effectively than continual confrontation.
    Reid Smith, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Battery experts would expect the intermittent pulses of charge, which have a higher C-rate than continuous charging models, to age batteries faster than standard procedures do.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2025
  • This intermittent series of eruptions began on Dec. 23, 2024, said the agency.
    Megan Forrester, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But, an approach solely focused on sudden movements could lead to so many false triggers, users would likely find the option more annoying than beneficial—and that’s where machine learning, a segment of AI focused on pattern recognition, comes into play.
    Reece Rogers, WIRED, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The flaw, which affects vehicles made between February 2021 and October 2023, can cause sudden power loss, potentially leaving drivers stranded or unable to start their vehicles.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • His moods became unpredictable, his behavior erratic.
    David Rabe, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Which is easier said than done with such an erratic boat service.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near fitful

Cite this Entry

“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fitful

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