as in incomplete
lacking some necessary part
the historical record of this pharaoh's life and reign is fragmentary at best
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Recent Examples of fragmentary
But ultimately, this fragmentary evidence is not enough to determine if Ancient Macedonian and Hellenic split from a common, pre-Hellenic source or derived from distinct Indo-European proto-languages.
—
Victor A. Friedman, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2018
Researchers have the genome of the girl, as well as bits of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from fragmentary fossils—teeth, a toe bone—of seven additional individuals, all also from Denisova Cave.
—Byann Gibbons, science.org, 11 July 2024
But Zambada’s accounts have been vague and fragmentary, in part because federal prosecutors sought to limit his testimony about Mexican corruption.
—Tim Golden, ProPublica, 19 July 2024
Perhaps that is to do with her interpretation of a near-fatal drowning incident from years before — partially shown to us in a fragmentary prologue.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for fragmentary 
Victor A. Friedman, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2018
Researchers have the genome of the girl, as well as bits of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from fragmentary fossils—teeth, a toe bone—of seven additional individuals, all also from Denisova Cave.
—Byann Gibbons, science.org, 11 July 2024
But Zambada’s accounts have been vague and fragmentary, in part because federal prosecutors sought to limit his testimony about Mexican corruption.
—Tim Golden, ProPublica, 19 July 2024
Perhaps that is to do with her interpretation of a near-fatal drowning incident from years before — partially shown to us in a fragmentary prologue.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for fragmentary
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“Fragmentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragmentary. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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