1
2

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 That's the result of a rare neurological condition known as spasmodic dysphonia, which has afflicted Kennedy for decades. Joe Hernandez, NPR, 29 Jan. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for spasmodic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasmodic
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, those days are more sporadic and like Hernandez, resembles little to the player who dragged Milan over the line three years ago to steal an unlikely league title.
    Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Those moments have grown more sporadic in recent months, with Watkins no longer looked to as Villa’s key source of goals.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Anyone familiar with the world of the Grateful Dead knows that one of the band’s most devoted and excitable fans was the late Bill Walton, the illustrious Hall of Fame NBA center who died in May 2024 at 71.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
  • Groups of excitable teenage boys waited their turn to play EA FC on a bank of massive flat screen TVs.
    James Montague, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • While a few breeds, such as the Turkish Van, are known to enjoy the occasional swim, the average house cat is famously water-averse.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • Having the occasional treat or missing a workout is okay.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • The video highlighted how visibly nervous Jessie was while using jokes to get through the show.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
  • There’s nothing to be nervous about going into a spray tan.
    Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Residents lack running water, use 5-gallon buckets as toilets and must contend with intermittent electricity and deteriorating homes that expose them to the region’s fierce weather.
    Emily Schwing, ProPublica, 29 May 2025
  • Holmgren had to take intermittent breaks from the sport because of growing pains.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Keep a safe distance: Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2025
  • After Earps’ announcement, Wiegman was asked what her long-time goalkeeper’s sudden international retirement two months before a major tournament said about the unity of the team.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • In the wake of multiple plane crashes, and amid erratic federal policies and denials and detentions at border crossings, summer travel in the U.S. is in an uneasy state.
    Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
  • The growth outlook in Asia’s third-largest economy has remained relatively robust, thanks to strong domestic consumption and a relatively lower dependence on exports, cushioning the blow from U.S. President Donald Trump’s erratic trade policy.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spasmodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasmodic. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on spasmodic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!