fitful

adjective

fit·​ful ˈfit-fəl How to pronounce fitful (audio)
Synonyms of fitfulnext
1
obsolete : characterized by fits or paroxysms
2
: having an erratic or intermittent character : irregular
a fitful night of sleep
fitfully
ˈfit-fə-lē How to pronounce fitful (audio)
adverb
fitfulness noun

Synonyms of fitful

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fitful, spasmodic, convulsive mean lacking steadiness or regularity in movement.

fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings.

fitful sleep

spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity.

spasmodic growth

convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.

convulsive shocks

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
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.
The Supreme Court has been a fitful friend to Trump in his second term, alternately enabling and impeding him. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 But Season 2 clocks the fitful maturation process without mirroring as many of its youthful mistakes. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026 Her fitful vocals capture the chaos of love, the maddening ability of a partner to absolutely wreck a mind or heal it. — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 7 Aug. 2026 Durability has been a major theme of Lekkerimäki’s fitful development curve. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fitful

Word History

Etymology

fit entry 4 + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fitful was in 1592

Browse Nearby Words

fit for a king
fitful
fitified
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Cite this Entry

“Fitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fitful. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fitful

adjective
fit·​ful ˈfit-fəl How to pronounce fitful (audio)
: not regular : restless
fitful sleep
fitfully
-fə-lē How to pronounce fitful (audio)
adverb
fitfulness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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