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 Now, 36 years later, this fitful odyssey of justice approaches its latest and most significant destination. Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 20 May 2025 Beyond the results and the outcome, given what this team has dealt with and the noise and fitful transformation that was foisted upon the organization as a result of broken internal dynamics earlier this year, it’s been a welcome development to simply watch the Canucks compete as a team again. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 In the twentieth century, the Soviet Union viewed China—at least until the Sino-Soviet split of the 1960s—as a poorer cousin, a country to be steered and helped along in its fitful progress toward respectability. Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Aug. 2022 These factors occur against the backdrop of fitful wage growth and climbing inflation, with everyday prices for housing, energy and groceries bedeviling Americans. Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitful
Adjective
  • Hamas long ago expended the vast majority of its rocket arsenal, able now to launch only sporadic rockets that have near-zero impact.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
  • Establishing clear objectives from the beginning is important for avoiding vague goals, sporadic communication or unclear accountability.
    Casey Halbach, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Several chains have announced deals to mark the occasional on their websites, in social media or in news releases.
    Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 10 July 2025
  • The 32-year-old spent the last two seasons exclusively in the NHL after grinding his way through AHL seasons with the occasional call-up.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, the available data indicates that for the past several months there has been a persistent presence of hydrogen sulfide, causing intermittent exposure to levels that some studies and environmental health experts suggest can cause respiratory complications.
    Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
  • Itasca received intermittent voice messages from Earhart as her signal increased.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • In one particularly raw moment, a woman studying the photographs let out a sudden shriek.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
  • The tragedy in Ruidoso highlights growing concerns about increasingly intense weather systems striking communities with little time to prepare for sudden surges of water.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • The plane made erratic maneuvers and several mayday calls before disappearing, the report said.
    Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
  • China’s export growth has shown some resilience in recent months, even as the erratic U.S. tariff policies disrupted global trade.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitful. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fitful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!