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 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 Abductor spasmodic dysphonia, which is less common, causes the vocal cords to suddenly open. Angela Haupt, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025 Ahead of his confirmation hearing, articles about the sound of his voice and his spasmodic dysphonia have been in the news. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spasmodic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasmodic
Adjective
  • Siffre took a sporadic approach to releasing music over the years, dropping six albums in a five-year span during the ’70s, including his standout LP Crying Laughing Loving Lying, before retiring.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
  • With Yemen challenged by the social and economic effects of a sporadic but ongoing civil war between Houthi rebels and the central government, conditions have proven difficult for Almatrahi and his family members to visit their homeland.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The expressive and excitable young girl stumbles along, while the wary grown-up remains controlled and refined — even though both are completely lost.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Dry ice streams from an inflatable jaguar head, beyond an excitable DJ and announcers on stilts.
    Toby Skinner, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Scam centers proliferating as criminal gangs flout laws In Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, a failure to consistently enforce laws against human trafficking, labor abuses and criminal activities have allowed cyber-scam centers to flourish despite occasional crackdowns, the report noted.
    Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • While occasional scooting can happen, recurring episodes usually signal an underlying issue with anal glands.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Given the snowy conditions and fatigue levels, these are nervous moments for the athletes, with mere seconds separating winning from losing.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Hollywood version The team may have been extra nervous given that the previous high-profile adaptation of The House of the Spirits was a 1993 movie in English starring Hollywood actors like Meryl Streep, Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • How the Study Worked In the study, 72 inactive adults with panic disorder who weren’t taking medications as treatment completed a 12-week program of brief intermittent intense exercise or relaxation training.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Due to its durability and rapid response time, the team expects the technology to be used to stabilize power grids and manage the intermittent output of renewable energy sources.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Two years before Tony Clark’s sudden resignation made Bruce Meyer the head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, Meyer composed a letter to quiet the union members calling for his ouster.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • The Major League Baseball Players Association has elected a new executive director following the sudden departure of Tony Clark, who had led the union for over a decade.
    Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • His performances were erratic and the number of costly errors kept mounting.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
  • However, in recent years, temperature and weather patterns have been erratic, and winters have become shorter and warmer.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spasmodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasmodic. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.

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