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 of spasmodic

• sporadic
• occasional
• intermittent
• sudden
• erratic

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

The exact causes of spasmodic dysphonia are unclear; experts suspect different brain areas may be involved and that the condition may have a genetic component. —Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 21 Jan. 2026

Kennedy’s speech often sounds strained and broken from a condition called spasmodic dysphonia, also called laryngeal dystonia. —Will Carless, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026

To what was such a spasmodic discord owed? —Julio Cortázar, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025

Kennedy, 71, has spasmodic dysphonia, a rare neurological condition in which the muscles that open and close his vocal cords spasm involuntarily, creating a strained or strangled quality to his speech. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin spasmodicus, from Greek spasmōdēs, from spasmos

First Known Use

circa 1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for spasmodic

• anodic
• melodic
• prosodic
• rhapsodic
• antispasmodic
• aperiodic
• episodic
• periodic
• photoperiodic
• sodic

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