1
obsolete
: characterized by fits or paroxysms
2
: having an erratic or intermittent character : irregular
fitfulness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of fitful in a Sentence
He had a few fitful hours of sleep.
Several fitful attempts at negotiation have failed.
Recent Examples on the Web
There were fitful signs that Democrats were trying to turn the page on Friday.
—
Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 29 June 2024
Earth’s earliest wildfires may have been fitful and erratic, flickering among the amphibious flora of fens and bogs.
—Ferris Jabr, The Atlantic, 25 June 2024
There is a growing sense that endless, sweeping sanctions are inhumane, but progress against them is slow, fitful, and disorganized.
—John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024
Over one fitful night a man is visited by three ghosts that terrorize him into reexamining his life and his entire way of thinking.
—Sam Hurwitt, The Mercury News, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for fitful 
Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 29 June 2024
Earth’s earliest wildfires may have been fitful and erratic, flickering among the amphibious flora of fens and bogs.
—Ferris Jabr, The Atlantic, 25 June 2024
There is a growing sense that endless, sweeping sanctions are inhumane, but progress against them is slow, fitful, and disorganized.
—John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024
Over one fitful night a man is visited by three ghosts that terrorize him into reexamining his life and his entire way of thinking.
—Sam Hurwitt, The Mercury News, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for fitful
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fitful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fitful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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