fitfulness
Coming and going
The quality of occurring in irregular bursts rather than steadily.
Fitfulness describes something that starts and stops unpredictably—sleep interrupted throughout the night, attention that wanders, wind that gusts then dies: The fitfulness of his concentration made studying difficult.
The word implies frustrating inconsistency.
Occurring at irregular intervals
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- occasionalHappening at intervals
- spasmodicOccurring in irregular bursts
- episodicOccurring in distinct segments
infrequent · periodic · scattered · patchy · isolated · discontinuous · fragmentary · broken
Lacking regularity or consistency
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
fluctuating · variable · unsteady · changeable · capricious · volatile · mercurial · fickle
Break in continuity
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- breakInterrupt continuity
- gapUnfilled space between
- hiatusBreak in activity
lapse · stoppage · halt · suspension · cessation · discontinuity · breach · interval
Disturbed, restless state
- fidgetingRestless minor movements
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- twitchinessTendency toward sudden jerks
edginess · jitteriness · anxiety · disquiet · fretfulness · perturbation · restiveness · sleeplessness
intermittent
Occurring at irregular intervals
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- occasionalHappening at intervals
- spasmodicOccurring in irregular bursts
episodic · infrequent · periodic · scattered · patchy · isolated · discontinuous · fragmentary · broken · interrupted
erratic
Lacking regularity or consistency
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
inconsistent · fluctuating · variable · unsteady · changeable · capricious · volatile · mercurial · fickle · random
interruption
Break in continuity
hiatus · lapse · stoppage · halt · suspension · cessation · discontinuity · breach · interval · disruption
agitation
Disturbed, restless state
- fidgetingRestless minor movements
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
twitchiness · edginess · jitteriness · anxiety · disquiet · fretfulness · perturbation · restiveness · sleeplessness · tossing
fitfulnessconstancy
Unchanging faithfulness over time
steadiness · regularity · continuity · consistency · uniformity
fitfulnesscalmness
Peaceful mental state
tranquility · composure · collectedness · equanimity · serenity
fitfulnesscertainty
Total absence of doubt
predictability · reliability · dependability · sureness · assuredness
fit, outfit, fitting, fitness, fitted, unfit, misfit, fitful, refit