HIT OR MISS Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

hit-or-miss 1 of 2

adjective

ˌhit-ər-ˈmis

Definition of hit-or-miss

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

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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

According to the pro, the lounge experience can be hit-or-miss. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026 Areas north of that line, including a large part of the metro, are outside of the severe risk area, though a few storms are still possible and rain will be hit-or-miss. — Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026

Adverb

The other performers, including the ones from Drag Race, are hit or miss. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 June 2026 It was hit or miss in that respect, particularly in Big 12 play. — Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hit-or-miss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit-or-miss

Adjective

Luka Dončić got traded at midnight on a random Saturday in February.

— David Aldridge, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Pinned to their random assortment of hats were scrawled, handmade signs proclaiming liberty or death.

— Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Definition of random

Adjective

Every state taxes alcoholic beverages, though the tax treatment of certain alcoholic beverages may appear arbitrary.

— Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
The war period saw its own moments of threats to rights, such as suspending habeas corpus, the legal mechanism to prevent arbitrary detention.

— Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Definition of arbitrary

Adjective

After cycling through erratic gigs—bus driver, garbage collector, violin maker—his carpentry skills landed him a job on an expedition vessel in Antarctica from 2006 to 2010.

— Richard Morgan, Time, 29 June 2026
His social media posts became increasingly erratic.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026

Definition of erratic

Browse Nearby Words

hit (on or upon)

hit-or-miss

hit or miss

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Style

“Hit-or-miss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit-or-miss. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hit-or-miss

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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