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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hit-or-miss
Joseph Person, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024
Through this week, downpours will continue to be hit-or-miss.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
The Cavaliers have been hit or miss with their annual City Edition jerseys, but this year is a big hit.
—Troy Smith, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hit-or-miss 
Adjective
But Canales ominously said last week the Panthers would consider Marshall’s entire, hit-or-miss body of work, which was largely a miss.
—Joseph Person, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024
Through this week, downpours will continue to be hit-or-miss.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
Adverb
Doggy day cares are often a hit or miss with canines depending on their personalities and temperament, but those who enjoy them, tend to love them.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
The Cavaliers have been hit or miss with their annual City Edition jerseys, but this year is a big hit.
—Troy Smith, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hit-or-miss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit-or-miss
Adjective
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Go and read random slave narratives and get their experience of the time.David Marchese, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
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Oh, the third mode is a combination of both – sets of airbags inflate and deflate in seemingly random order – which has been perhaps my favorite setting.New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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To Danes and pretty much anyone else who makes plans, signs treaties, or creates long-term strategies using rational arguments, this way of making policy feels arbitrary, pointless, even surreal.Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2025
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This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And if his first term is any indication, Trump’s erratic management is likely to produce a ballooning national debt and policy incoherence, not a lean and coordinated government.Charles A. Kupchan, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
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Darnold was as erratic as he’s been all season, and the defense was again dominated by the Lions’ balanced attack.Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hit-or-miss
Cite this Entry
“Hit-or-miss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit-or-miss. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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