intermittent

adjective

in·​ter·​mit·​tent ˌin-tər-ˈmi-tᵊnt How to pronounce intermittent (audio)
Synonyms of intermittent
1
: coming and going at intervals : not continuous
intermittent rain
also : occasional
intermittent trips abroad
2
of a stream or body of water : appearing and disappearing seasonally : sometimes dry
intermittently adverb
raining intermittently

Synonyms of intermittent

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Examples of intermittent in a Sentence

In the intermittent light he could make out the shape of a solitary oak tree, spreading great arms from its short tremendous trunk. —Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising, (1973) 1999
Decades of intermittent but recurring controversies with imperial authorities, and the lodestar of the glorious Revolution, disposed Americans to continue to believe that representation existed, first and foremost, to protect the rights of their communities against the abuse of executive power. —Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings, 1996
Bronchodilators continue to play an important role in asthma treatment, especially for people who have relatively mild or intermittent attacks. —Stephen Hoffmann, Harvard Medical School Health Letter, June 1991
The patient was having intermittent pains in his side. The forecast is for intermittent rain.
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.
In the case of intermittent signals, the culprit might never be found. — IEEE Spectrum, 28 Oct. 2026 Younger generations’ exposure to social media content promoting GLP-1 microdosing or intermittent or sporadic use of the medications may influence these behaviors, too, Albaugh adds. — Anna L. Goldman, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Bus noise was a similar story, with the low engine rumble handled well and only some of the higher-frequency intermittent sounds sneaking through. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026 In another room was a machine for intermittent hypoxic-hyperoxic training. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intermittent

Word History

Etymology

Latin intermittent-, intermittens, present participle of intermittere — see intermit

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intermittent was in 1601

Phrases Containing intermittent

Rhymes for intermittent

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Browse Nearby Words

intermittency effect
intermittent
intermittent claudication
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intermittent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermittent. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

intermittent

adjective
in·​ter·​mit·​tent ˌint-ər-ˈmit-ᵊnt How to pronounce intermittent (audio)
: starting, stopping, and starting again
an intermittent fever
intermittently adverb

Medical Definition

intermittent

adjective
in·​ter·​mit·​tent ˌint-ər-ˈmit-ᵊnt How to pronounce intermittent (audio)
: coming and going at intervals : not continuous
intermittent fever
intermittence
-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce intermittent (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on intermittent

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intermittent

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