hit-or-miss 1 of 2

adjective

ˌhit-ər-ˈmis How to pronounce hit-or-miss (audio)
Definition of hit-or-missnext
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern your hit-or-miss schedule for taking your medication is going to land you in the hospital again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hit or miss

2 of 2

adverb

as in randomly
without definite aim, direction, rule, or method I was learning Spanish hit or miss, mostly just by hearing my friends speak it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hit-or-miss
Adjective
Although the country has been hit-or-miss with recent Hollywood blockbusters, Peter Parker still resonates with mainland audiences. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 2 Aug. 2026 This early in the forecast, yes, but they’ll be scattered and hit-or-miss. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Adverb
Of course, ports can be hit or miss. — ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026 Flow State is a new gameplay dynamic and players were hit or miss on the new feature. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hit-or-miss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit-or-miss
  1. random
  2. randomly
  3. scattered
  4. arbitrary
  5. erratic
Adjective
  • The show’s first two episodes feature scenes of shadowboxing, random bouts of wrestling and friendly teasing between players and coaches in between the hustle and bustle of an NFL training camp.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Made by stacking general-purpose dynamic random access memory, HBM is the highest bandwidth memory capable of rapid data access that helps AI processors execute tasks.
    — Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of random
Adverb
  • Players who score five out of five may be randomly selected for one of the Silver Tickets, which grant them access to a bonus question.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
  • All 30 teams were drawn into groups of five randomly within each conference based on win-loss records from last season.
    — Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of randomly
Adjective
  • During a walk through the park, CBS News Philadelphia also found scattered screws, metal fragments and broken glass in parts of the lawn.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • The right conversation could turn scattered effort into a working plan.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
Definition of scattered
Adjective
  • Its attempts to do so, most notably by interweaving elements of 1939’s The Wizard of Oz — including a CGI lion voiced by Colman Domingo — are heavy-handed acts of fan service that feel arbitrary.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Indeed, the representatives of that Government assert that the people of Hawaii are unfit for popular government and frankly avow that they can be best ruled by arbitrary or despotic power.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Crews were clearing vegetation to help slow the fire’s spread as officials warned that thunderstorms could bring erratic winds and increase fire activity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • My treatment brought me back to myself, and the medication stopped my erratic behavior.
    — Ayana Lage, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of erratic

Browse Nearby Words

hit (on or upon)
hit-or-miss
hit or miss
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Cite this Entry

“Hit-or-miss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit-or-miss. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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