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Definitions

fits and starts

ADJECTIVE
aimless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
desultory erratic frivolous haphazard indiscriminate pointless random
WEAK
accidental any which way bits and pieces blind capricious careless casual chance directionless drifting fanciful fickle flighty fortuitous goalless heedless hit-or-miss indecisive irresolute objectless purposeless shiftless stray thoughtless unavailing undirected unguided unplanned unpredictable vagrant wandering wanton wayward
Antonyms
STRONGEST
definite methodical particular sensible specific systematic
WEAK
determined directed goal-oriented motivated pointed purposeful resolute
ADJECTIVE
spasmodic
Synonyms
WEAK
bits and pieces changeable choppy convulsive desultory fitful intermittent irregular jerky on-again-off-again periodic shaky spastic sporadic spotty spurtive uncertain
Antonyms
WEAK
resting uninterrupted
ADJECTIVE
sporadic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
desultory fitful infrequent intermittent irregular isolated occasional random rare scattered spotty
WEAK
bits and pieces few hit-or-miss on-again-off-again scarce seldom semioccasional spasmodic uncommon unfrequent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
common constant even frequent methodical regular systematic usual
WEAK
continuous dependable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Breaks in the investigation have come in fits and starts.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

After a courtship that unfurled in fits and starts, they married in 1996.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

The Dow has been rising, with some fits and starts, since it topped the 40,000 barrier in May 2024.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

The atlas project proceeded in fits and starts, with meeting minutes from 1831 recording, “the Committee was summoned for this day but Capt. Beaufort alone attended.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

There were fits and starts of normality, but always a specter loomed.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.