hit-or-miss 1 of 2

adjective

ˌhit-ər-ˈmis How to pronounce hit-or-miss (audio)
Definition of hit-or-missnext
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

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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
The storms are hit-or-miss, so some places will experience deluges while others stay dry. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 While the bliss of a spa treatment will eventually wear off and shore excursions can be hit-or-miss, paying for a balcony cabin stands out as one of the most reliable cruise upgrades. — Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Most people choose to fly into Aspen airport, but that too can be hit or miss, with flights often being canceled and diverted due to weather conditions. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026 Of course, ports can be hit or miss. — ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hit-or-miss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit-or-miss
  1. random
  2. randomly
  3. scattered
  4. arbitrary
  5. erratic
Adjective
  • Instead of projecting random stars, the Pococo Galaxy Projector uses projection discs to fill the room with gorgeous, sharp images of planets, galaxies and much more.
    — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • After posting a picture on a random rock in the Turkish highlands on Instagram, Salah has transformed the spot into a tourist attraction, with droves of fans making the pilgrimage.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of random
Adverb
  • This thermal burst causes nearby atoms to vibrate randomly before the lattice settles down again.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers randomly assigned each wrist to receive a saline hydrodissection procedure, a corticosteroid injection alone, or hydrodissection plus a steroid shot.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of randomly
Adjective
  • Monday in Philadelphia stays cool and unsettled, with the front stalled just south of the region and scattered rain chances, especially across southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware.
    — Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The scattered pieces of the former storm will likely drift over the Caribbean and soak Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hispaniola with a few inches of rain, some of which will reach Florida.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of scattered
Adjective
  • Its rules about transfers and conference membership seem arbitrary and deferential to the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences, college football's most influential.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Rights and media freedom groups have separately warned of police violence, arbitrary detentions, unauthorized surveillance and threats against journalists.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Just as the industry began recovering from a multiyear freight slowdown, the administration began cracking down on immigrant drivers earlier this year, exacerbating the impact from the erratic tariff announcements.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Because China’s system is tightly controlled, its descent into personalistic one-man rule does not play out in divisive confrontations on television or erratic social media rants by the top leader.
    — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of erratic

Browse Nearby Words

hit (on or upon)
hit-or-miss
hit or miss
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Cite this Entry

“Hit-or-miss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit-or-miss. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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