discontinuous
Having gaps throughout
Discontinuous describes something that has gaps, breaks, or interruptions rather than flowing smoothly from start to finish.
A discontinuous line is broken into segments.
Discontinuous change happens in jumps rather than gradual progression.
In technical contexts, a discontinuous function has points where it isn't connected.
The word emphasizes lack of continuity: The fossil record is discontinuous, with many missing species.
Damaged beyond function
- fracturedSplit or splintered
- disjointedLacking orderly sequence
- piecemealIn separate stages
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
shattered · ruptured · severed · disrupted · incoherent · patchy · partial · unconnected
Occurring at irregular intervals
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- periodicOccurring at intervals
- episodicOccurring in distinct segments
- recurringHappening repeatedly over time
interrupted · pauses · breaks · intervals · on-and-off · staggered · punctuated · fitful
Unfilled space between
- separatedPut or kept apart
- partitionedDivided into distinct sections
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- discreteIndividually separate, unconnected
apart · segmented · disjoint · noncontiguous · disconnected · intervals · breaks · sections
Lacking regularity or consistency
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- randomOccurring without pattern
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
uneven · scattered · nonlinear · unsystematic · patchy · variable · unsteady · desultory
broken
Damaged beyond function
- fracturedSplit or splintered
- disjointedLacking orderly sequence
- piecemealIn separate stages
incomplete · shattered · ruptured · severed · disrupted · incoherent · patchy · partial · unconnected · spliced
intermittent
Occurring at irregular intervals
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- periodicOccurring at intervals
- episodicOccurring in distinct segments
recurring · interrupted · pauses · breaks · intervals · on-and-off · staggered · punctuated · fitful · cyclical
gap
Unfilled space between
- separatedPut or kept apart
- partitionedDivided into distinct sections
- detachedApart or uninvolved
discrete · apart · segmented · disjoint · noncontiguous · disconnected · intervals · breaks · sections · divided
erratic
Lacking regularity or consistency
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- randomOccurring without pattern
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
inconsistent · uneven · scattered · nonlinear · unsystematic · patchy · variable · unsteady · desultory · capricious
function
Purpose or duty
limit · piecewise · undefined · singularity · step · threshold · domain · bounded · infinite · removable
- intermittentintermittent, sporadic, periodic, on-off, occasional
- innovation typesdisruptive, incremental, radical, sustaining, product innovation
- infrequencyrarely, seldom, infrequent, infrequently, occasionally
- disorderedchaotic, disorganized, disordered, jumbled, messy
- unevenuneven, irregular, unequal, nonuniform, asymmetric
- frequencyfrequency, hertz, Hz, kilohertz, megahertz
discontinuouscontinuous
Without pause or gap
unbroken · uninterrupted · sustained · ongoing · perpetual
discontinuouscontinuous
Without pause or gap
contiguous · unbroken · connected · seamless · uninterrupted