Definition of spasmodicnext
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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 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 Hearing the diagnosis of spasmodic dysphonia from the specialist was devastating. David Chiu, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025 There is no cure for spasmodic dysphonia, but there are treatments available. Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 29 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spasmodic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasmodic
Adjective
  • After being deported from Sweden and moving to Bangkok in 2015, Drain Gang’s Thaiboy Digital has leaned harder into the cult rap crew’s love for rave electronics than any other member, chasing highs in lucid dreams to compensate for sporadic meetups with the boys.
    Nathan Evans, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026
  • Residents say efforts to remove the plant have largely been limited to small-scale manual clearing by fishermen and sporadic pilot efforts by authorities, with no effective large-scale solution in place.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • An unexpected collaboration opportunity is very possible under today’s trine between excitable Mars and erratic Uranus.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • At the Ricardo residence in the ’50s sitcom I Love Lucy, over-the-top housewife Lucy and Ricky, her excitable husband, were always getting into some sort of entertaining hijinks.
    Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Although the program was a tribute to the TV series starring Paul Reuben as Pee-wee Herman and not the feature films with the same character, there was an occasional moment of crossover into the Pee-wee cinematic universe.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 7 May 2026
  • The hotel’s 88 rooms, including 25 suites created by award-winning design studio Jaime Beriestain, are understated in ivory, dove gray, and the occasional dash of teal velvet, with Egyptian cotton bed linens and goose down comforters.
    Eddi Fiegel, Robb Report, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Altman seemed slightly nervous as the cross-examination got underway.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 12 May 2026
  • Suddenly, and very publicly, Russian officials appeared nervous, afraid that their parade would be spoiled.
    Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • The deflating defeat, narrated by an intermittent cascade of boos, rendered their record the worst in baseball at 7-16 and suddenly a half-game lousier than the idle New York Mets.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
  • The job market is showing intermittent signs of recovery after a bleak 2025.
    Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • If the arteries are leading to the brain, symptoms may involve sudden numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, trouble speaking, slurred speech, sudden or temporary vision loss in one eye or facial drooping.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • The vote of confidence from Multicoin continued what has been a sudden revival of interest in Zcash, which first launched in 2016.
    Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • By the time officers arrived, the situation had escalated into what officials described as an active shooter incident, with the suspect walking down the middle of Memorial Drive and firing in an erratic manner as traffic came to a halt.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
  • In a video about an erratic Uber driver, a recognizable dynamic—awkward small talk, impatience to set off—escalates into a life-threatening one.
    Alex Barasch, New Yorker, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spasmodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasmodic. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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