On the shore dimly seen, thro’ the mists of the deep, where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes, what is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep, as it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Source: tatoeba (11002071)
Fitfully
Synonyms for "fitfully" (74 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (15)
Adverb(1 words)
at haphazardat intervalsat irregular intervalsat randombrokenlyby catchesby chanceby fitsby jerksby skipsby snatchescapriciouslycarelesslydesultorily
Strong matches (22)
disconnectedlydiscontinuouslyeccentricallyerraticallyflutteringlyhaltinglyhaphazardlyhere and therehit or missin snatchesin spotsinconstantlyindiscriminatelyinfrequentlyintermittentlyirregularlyjerkilylurchingly
Adverb(4 words)
Related words (37)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: alternately, at haphazard, at intervals, at irregular intervals, at random.
- Sentence evidence is available for fitfully, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss, moby, derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "fitfully".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "fitfully"
Keep "fitfully" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "fitfully" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "fitfully", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "fitfully" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
3 entriesMore specific
4 entriesalternating rhythmburstlike patternintermittent behaviorsporadic bursts
Sample sentences
5 total sentences available.
He slept fitfully, plagued by bad dreams and a persistent cough.
Source: wiktionary
The cabin lamp—taking long swings this way and that— was burning fitfully, and casting fitful shadows upon the old man’s bolted door […]
Source: wiktionary
The train for Marmion left Boston at four o'clock in the afternoon, and rambled fitfully toward the southern cape, while the shadows grew long in the stony pastures […]
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 5 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "fitfully"?
Closest matches include alternately, at haphazard, at intervals, at irregular intervals, at random.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "fitfully"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.