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

Examples 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 What sets whooping cough apart from other respiratory illness are the prolonged and fitful coughs, which last at least three weeks and can persist for many months, Nolt said. Emma Bowman, NPR, 21 Sep. 2024 The pacing is fitful: only toward the end of the first act does the central conflict emerge. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 The possible fundraising move comes amid a fitful year for Boeing marked by a quality crisis, a CEO shake-up and now a crippling strike. Nathan Bomey, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024 Regardless, his priorities lay elsewhere, in dealing with the Great Recession and winding down the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and throughout his first term, Latin America received only fitful attention. Michael Reid, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2015 See all Example Sentences for fitful 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
Adjective
  • The friends exchanged sporadic texts over subsequent months but never saw each other in person after that.
    Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • The problem for Nketiah is that there is no obvious role for him beyond intermittent appearances from the bench.
    Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
  • However, with communications still down hours later and official updates limited, reports of casualties began emerging on social media and through intermittent phone calls.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
  • 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
Adjective
  • In a February statement, representatives voiced concerns over Williams’ difficulty to process information, her erratic behavior and her struggles to understand financial transactions.
    Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Daniel Penny was charged with both second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely, who Penny restrained with a chokehold, later saying he felt threatened by Neely’s erratic behavior on the New York subway.
    Emma Tucker, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near fitful

Cite this Entry

“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on fitful

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