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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 Most people have adductor spasmodic dysphonia, which causes the voice to sound strained, tight and hoarse. Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025 Here’s what to know about how common spasmodic dysphonia is, what causes it, and how it’s treated. Angela Haupt, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for spasmodic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasmodic
Adjective
  • However, with Brooks Lee, Kody Clemens and Lewis receiving the bulk of the playing time, at-bats became more sporadic for Bride, who only had eight hits in his last 58 at-bats for the Twins.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 30 June 2025
  • Coaches and players who had meticulously calibrated fitness programs for 2024 were forced into an extended holding pattern, trying to maintain sharpness through sporadic friendlies and local camps.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • In 2023 and the first months of 2024, his name cropped up in a lot of excitable articles in the Rio de Janeiro press.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • The telling of the entire story of America, after all, calls into question the greatness that Donald Trump pledges to restore, and agitates a base that remains threatened and excitable by our multicultural reality.
    Kevin Sack, Time, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Colorado and Arizona State offer little more than an occasional flash.
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
  • Allegedly set between Episode III and IV, with some occasional flashback episodes, the series would delve into aspects of the Star Wars universe that hadn't been explored before, such as different criminal factions operating across Coruscant.
    Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • But with Wirtz, there was suddenly an effort not to do that; the media got nervous about calling it a record.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Watching his son evolve from a 4-star recruit out of Columbus High School in Miami to an eventual first-round pick out of Michigan State, Richardson doesn’t get too nervous or overly excited when Jase is on the court.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • However, the available data indicates that for the past several months there has been a persistent presence of hydrogen sulfide, causing intermittent exposure to levels that some studies and environmental health experts suggest can cause respiratory complications.
    Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
  • Itasca received intermittent voice messages from Earhart as her signal increased.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Talks with different countries are ongoing, but are subject to sudden changes in direction.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • Her particular specialism is making sudden bursts towards the near post, staying in the defender’s blind spot before suddenly jumping ahead of her marker to turn home a simple chance, often laid on a plate at club level by Caroline Graham Hansen, with whom Pajor also worked well at Wolfsburg.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Trump’s erratic approach to trade is converging with other economic and technological policies to undermine the United States’ preeminent role.
    REBECCA LISSNER, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
  • The fact that the story works at all despite its bizarre tonal shifts and erratic pacing is a testament to how strong the game’s themes and characterization truly are.
    Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spasmodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasmodic. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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