1. in an irregular, intermittent, or restless manner; starting and stopping repeatedly

Examples

• The baby slept fitfully throughout the night, waking every hour.
• Rain fell fitfully during the afternoon, stopping and starting without warning.
• He worked fitfully on his novel, writing intensely for days then abandoning it for weeks.
• The old engine ran fitfully, sputtering and stalling at traffic lights.
• She dozed fitfully in the uncomfortable airplane seat.
• The wind blew fitfully through the trees, rustling the leaves in sudden gusts.