fitful
adjective
fit·ful ˈfit-fəl 
1
obsolete : characterized by fits or paroxysms
2
: having an erratic or intermittent character : irregular
fitfully
ˈfit-fə-lē
adverb fitfulness noun
Synonyms
- aperiodic
- casual
- catchy
- choppy
- discontinuous
- episodic
- episodical
- erratic
- intermittent
- irregular
- occasional
- spasmodic
- spastic
- sporadic
- spotty
- unsteady
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He had a few fitful hours of sleep. Several fitful attempts at negotiation have failed.
Recent Examples on the Web Harm reduction, even in basic forms such as the distribution of clean needles, remains deeply controversial in the United States, although the concept has been gaining fitful support as overdoses rise, including from the Biden administration. 
New York Times, 26 July 2022 Scholars have come up with various terms to define our fitful relationship with algorithmic technology. Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 25 July 2022 The fitful nature of the post-pandemic climb could be seen from Israel to India. Arkansas Online, 3 July 2022 The history of feminist utopias in literature is long and fitful, with squabbles among renowned novelists and calls for a more expansive view of gender identity, but The Men lazily fumbles back toward simplicity. Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 16 June 2022 But such is the state of the country’s politics — and the fitful struggles of its democracy over the past three decades — that many Filipinos have little problem returning a Marcos to power. Washington Post, 9 May 2022 Singing lines and lush harmonies briefly give way to short, fitful solos by violin and viola, played with febrile intensity by concertmaster Robert Chen and guest principal violist Ben Ullery. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2022 The fitful nature of the post-pandemic climb could be seen from Israel to India. Arkansas Online, 3 July 2022 The fitful nature of the post-pandemic climb could be seen from Israel to India. Laurie Kellman, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2022 See More
New York Times, 26 July 2022 Scholars have come up with various terms to define our fitful relationship with algorithmic technology. Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 25 July 2022 The fitful nature of the post-pandemic climb could be seen from Israel to India. Arkansas Online, 3 July 2022 The history of feminist utopias in literature is long and fitful, with squabbles among renowned novelists and calls for a more expansive view of gender identity, but The Men lazily fumbles back toward simplicity. Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 16 June 2022 But such is the state of the country’s politics — and the fitful struggles of its democracy over the past three decades — that many Filipinos have little problem returning a Marcos to power. Washington Post, 9 May 2022 Singing lines and lush harmonies briefly give way to short, fitful solos by violin and viola, played with febrile intensity by concertmaster Robert Chen and guest principal violist Ben Ullery. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2022 The fitful nature of the post-pandemic climb could be seen from Israel to India. Arkansas Online, 3 July 2022 The fitful nature of the post-pandemic climb could be seen from Israel to India. Laurie Kellman, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
fitful
adjective
fit·ful ˈfit-fəl
: not regular or steady
fitful sleep
fitful
adjective
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence a night of fitful sleep did not leave me feeling well rested the next morning Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sporadic
- occasional
- intermittent
- erratic
- sudden
- spasmodic
- unpredictable
- irregular
- unsteady
- violent
- discontinuous
- casual
- spastic
- episodic
- episodical
- spotty
- choppy
- volatile
- aperiodic
- convulsive
- fragmentary
- haphazard
- scattered
- changeful
- random
- desultory
- aimless
- varying
- interrupted
- catchy
- uncertain
- slapdash
- changing
- unsettled
- wavering
- inconstant
- broken
- capricious
- unstable
- fluctuating
- odd
- arbitrary
- hit-and-miss
- hit-or-miss
- mercurial
- disconnected
- stray
- temperamental
- fickle
- mutable
- variable
- changeable
- flickery
- fluid
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continuous
- constant
- steady
- periodic
- habitual
- regular
- repeated
- stable
- uniform
- systematic
- even
- equable
- stationary
- unchanging
- methodical
- orderly
- unrelenting
- changeless
- unvarying
- unremitting
- unwavering
- methodic
Synonym Chooser
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
Although the words convulsive and fitful have much in common, convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.
convulsive shocks
Spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity.
spasmodic growth