hit-and-miss

adjective

ˌhit-ᵊn-ˈmis How to pronounce hit-and-miss (audio)
Synonyms of hit-and-missnext
: sometimes successful and sometimes not : not reliably good or successful

Examples of hit-and-miss in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But overall, styling is hit-and-miss on this one in my humble opinion. — New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026 And to say its fusillade of jokes is hit-and-miss would also be a charitable take. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026 This service should be regular and ongoing, not hit-and-miss. — Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026 What to Pack Cell service is hit-and-miss, so bring an emergency SOS device, like a Garmin inReach. — Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hit-and-miss

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hit-and-miss was in 1786

Rhymes for hit-and-miss

See All Rhymes for hit-and-miss

Browse Nearby Words

hit
hit-and-miss
hit-and-run
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hit-and-miss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hit-and-miss. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hit-and-miss

adjective
ˌhit-ᵊn-ˈmis
: sometimes successful and sometimes not : haphazard

More from Merriam-Webster on hit-and-miss

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hit-and-miss

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