intermittent
adjective
in·ter·mit·tent
ˌin-tər-ˈmi-tᵊnt 
1
: coming and going at intervals : not continuous
intermittent rain
2
of a stream or body of water
: appearing and disappearing seasonally : sometimes dry
intermittently
adverb
raining intermittently
Examples of intermittent in a Sentence
In the intermittent light he could make out the shape of a solitary oak tree, spreading great arms from its short tremendous trunk.
—
Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising, (1973) 1999
Decades of intermittent but recurring controversies with imperial authorities, and the lodestar of the glorious Revolution, disposed Americans to continue to believe that representation existed, first and foremost, to protect the rights of their communities against the abuse of executive power.
—Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings, 1996
Bronchodilators continue to play an important role in asthma treatment, especially for people who have relatively mild or intermittent attacks.
—Stephen Hoffmann, Harvard Medical School Health Letter, June 1991
The patient was having intermittent pains in his side.
The forecast is for intermittent rain.
Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising, (1973) 1999
Decades of intermittent but recurring controversies with imperial authorities, and the lodestar of the glorious Revolution, disposed Americans to continue to believe that representation existed, first and foremost, to protect the rights of their communities against the abuse of executive power.
—Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings, 1996
Bronchodilators continue to play an important role in asthma treatment, especially for people who have relatively mild or intermittent attacks.
—Stephen Hoffmann, Harvard Medical School Health Letter, June 1991
The patient was having intermittent pains in his side.
The forecast is for intermittent rain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dietary changes such as intermittent fasting, caloric restriction, and ketogenic diet with regular exercise can prevent MASH or delay its progression.
—Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 12 July 2025
There’s a reason for that: Fire hose again, coupled with intermittent kinks and leaks.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 12 July 2025
In addition to the evacuations, several roads were closed, and the city reported an intermittent loss of power in the area.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 July 2025
At some points, there are intermittent glimpses of Julian.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for intermittent
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Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 12 July 2025
There’s a reason for that: Fire hose again, coupled with intermittent kinks and leaks.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 12 July 2025
In addition to the evacuations, several roads were closed, and the city reported an intermittent loss of power in the area.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 July 2025
At some points, there are intermittent glimpses of Julian.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for intermittent
Cite this Entry
“Intermittent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermittent. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intermittent
adjective
in·ter·mit·tent
ˌint-ər-ˈmit-ᵊnt
: starting, stopping, and starting again
an intermittent fever
intermittently
adverb
Medical Definition
intermittent
adjective
in·ter·mit·tent
ˌint-ər-ˈmit-ᵊnt
: coming and going at intervals : not continuous
intermittent fever
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