spasmodic

adjective

spas·​mod·​ic spaz-ˈmä-dik 

1

a

: relating to or affected or characterized by spasm

b

: resembling a spasm especially in sudden violence

a spasmodic jerk

2

: acting or proceeding fitfully : intermittent

spasmodic activity

3

: subject to outbursts of emotional excitement : excitable

spasmodically

spaz-ˈmä-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• aperiodic
• casual
• catchy
• choppy
• discontinuous
• episodic
• episodical
• erratic
• fitful
• intermittent
• irregular
• occasional
• spastic
• sporadic
• spotty
• unsteady

Choose the Right Synonym for spasmodic

fitful, spasmodic, convulsive mean lacking steadiness or regularity in movement.

fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings.

fitful sleep

spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity.

spasmodic growth

convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.

convulsive shocks

Examples of spasmodic in a Sentence

He made only spasmodic attempts to lose weight.

spasmodic problems that we will have to deal with as they crop up

Recent Examples on the Web

Wearing a bowler hat, his physical movements and magnetic smile often mirrored the spasmodic motion of the songs. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2024

Colicky pain occurs as sudden spasmodic abdominal pain that occurs in cycles and then resolves. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024

Kennedy has also previously suggested that his spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder that can impact voice and speech, is a side effect of the flu vaccine. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 16 July 2024

Tragically, Linda Thompson can’t sing anymore due to a medical condition called spasmodic dysphonia. —Tribune News Service, New York Daily News, 1 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin spasmodicus, from Greek spasmōdēs, from spasmos

First Known Use

circa 1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

spasmodic

adjective

spas·​mod·​ic spaz-ˈmäd-ik 

1

a

: relating to or affected or characterized by spasm

spasmodic movements

b

: resembling a spasm especially in sudden violence

2

: acting or going now and then : intermittent

spasmodic activity

3

: subject to outburst of emotional excitement : excitable

spasmodically

-ˈmäd-ik(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

spasmodic

adjective

spas·​mod·​ic spaz-ˈmäd-ik 

: of, relating to, characterized by, or resulting from spasm

a spasmodic twitching

a spasmodic cough

spasmodically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb