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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective spasmodic contrast with its synonyms?

The words convulsive and fitful are common synonyms of spasmodic. While all three words mean "lacking steadiness or regularity in movement," spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity.

spasmodic growth

When is convulsive a more appropriate choice than spasmodic?

The synonyms convulsive and spasmodic are sometimes interchangeable, but convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.

convulsive shocks

When is it sensible to use fitful instead of spasmodic?

While in some cases nearly identical to spasmodic, fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings.

fitful sleep

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 spasmodic 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 In Nigeria, Baba has worked through record heat and spasmodic, severe rainfalls. thehustle.co, 12 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spasmodic 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasmodic
Adjective
  • FRBs are sporadic, intense flashes of radio wave energy that can be brighter than entire galaxies.
    John Loeffler, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Broader and border disputes Not only have different interest groups and political actors used maps of the region to put forth competing geopolitical claims, but maps have also played a central role in sporadic efforts to establish peace in the region.
    Christine Leuenberger, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Alain Delon plays his excitable, passionate nephew, and the luminous Claudia Cardinale the daughter of a local bureaucrat whose romance with Delon becomes the vessel by which the Prince’s family will maintain its power in the future.
    Kevin Lincoln, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
  • As an actor, Branagh has a voice that’s high, excitable, and light, and his physicality possesses a tomcat sneakiness.
    Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Staff and volunteers who have a bond with Linus have experienced some head butts of affection and occasional cuddles after a long play session.
    Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Amy regularly visits, taking her grandpa out for lunch or the occasional beer.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Atop all this, Floria is charged with supervising nervous, error-prone student nurse Amelie (Selma) — tempers fray as precious time runs out.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In the final round, a nervous Castle missed his first four dunk attempts for his first dunk of the round, before finishing with pizzaz on a between-the-legs up-and-under one-handed flush.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In an effort to onboard users, Tubi was running a free livestream for the championship game, —which ended in a victory for the Eagles—but things didn’t exactly go swimmingly, with multiple users reporting intermittent buffering issues and freezes.
    Dimitar 'Mix' Mihov, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025
  • However, intermittent fasting comes with major potential health risks for people with conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer.
    Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Release date, cast, more Queen Latifah, Adrien Brody, Kerry Washington, more stars flock to Thom Browne's NYFW show 'Really bummed out:' Beverly Ortega explains sudden departure from 'The Bachelor' When is WorldPride Music Festival 2025?
    Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • At least one judge has already found that the administration did defy his order on the reversal of the wide-ranging and sudden federal funding freeze.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The fallout comes after the 47-year-old’s erratic and offensive antisemitic behavior.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 12 Feb. 2025
  • Kanye West bought a 30-second local television spot on Sunday night that played only in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Atlanta during the Super Bowl to promote his Yeezy fashion brand, bringing more scrutiny about his erratic and antisemitic behavior.
    Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near spasmodic

Cite this Entry

“Spasmodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasmodic. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on spasmodic

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