on-again-off-again

ADJECTIVE

fitful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

desultory intermittent periodic spotty

WEAK

bits and pieces broken capricious catchy changeable disturbed erratic flickering fluctuating haphazard herky-jerky hit-or-miss impulsive inconstant interrupted random recurrent restive restless shifting spasmodic spastic unstable variable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

constant continual regular

WEAK

continuous even undisturbed unvarying

ADJECTIVE

periodic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

annual intermittent monthly occasional recurrent recurring regular repeated routine seasonal sporadic weekly yearly

STRONG

periodical

WEAK

alternate at various times centennial cyclic cyclical daily epochal every once in a while every so often fluctuating hourly infrequent isochronal isochronous on certain occasions orbital perennial rhythmic serial spasmodic

Antonyms

STRONGEST

constant infrequent unusual

WEAK

continual irregular lasting permanent sporadic variable

ADJECTIVE

spasmodic

Synonyms

WEAK

bits and pieces changeable choppy convulsive desultory fitful fits and starts intermittent irregular jerky 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 fits and starts hit-or-miss scarce seldom semioccasional spasmodic uncommon unfrequent

Antonyms

STRONGEST

common constant even frequent methodical regular systematic usual

WEAK

continuous dependable

ADJECTIVE

spotty

Synonyms

STRONGEST

erratic patchy sporadic uneven

WEAK

desultory flickering fluctuating not uniform pimply spasmodic unequal

Antonyms

STRONGEST

consistent continuous dependable regular

WEAK

constant unbroken

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.

So much so that his country is even hosting talks between Trump and Xi Jinping on Thursday that may well yield a breakthrough in their on-again-off-again trade war.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025

The on-again-off-again relationship opens up Miranda's one-track mind.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2024

After stretches of feeling stronger in 2021, that summer Sophie’s on-again-off-again girlfriend once again broke up with her.

From New York Times • May 17, 2023

He also announced that the government had taken the first steps to reactivate a decades-long, on-again-off-again project to build a bridge between Sicily and the Italian mainland and intended to seek EU funding for it.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 22, 2022

West struggled through a trying, public divorce with his wife, Kim Kardashian, while his on-again-off-again beef with Drake had again rekindled.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2022

on-again-off-again

Example Sentences

Related Words