spasmodic
2
8.1
- adjective
- /spæzˈmɒdɪk/
- Moreover, the interest of some officials and legislators tends to be spasmodic.
- spasmodic dysphonia
- spasmodic action
Examples
-
Donald wasn't sure, not from that distance, but his ribs seemed to heave in a difficult, spasmodic rhythm.
Fiction book (1998) -
The 28-year war has received little attention from scholars and only spasmodic treatment from journalists.
Academic text (1990) -
I have no notion what that spasmodic gesture is supposed to indicate.
-
Attacks on "area studies" as such are spasmodic but perennial.
Academic text (1997) -
As spasmodic as his actions seemed, however, Maliki had his reasons.
Academic text (2015) -
His movements are jerky and spasmodic, as if his mind is trying to fight what his body is trying to do.
Fiction book (1992) -
A pain at the base of my spine, sharp and spasmodic, a numbness in my right limb.
-
He'd laugh instead, of course, a sour, spasmodic laugh incomprehensible to the boys.
Fiction book (2001) -
In Twitch and Shout, we enter the world of Tourette's syndrome sufferers, whose spasmodic body movements and uncontrollable speech make them seem like bizarre misfits.
Academic text (1995) -
The child had a spasmodic fit of laughter that surprised everyone in the room.
Synonyms
6
5.8
Happening in short, irregular bursts that start and stop
2
5.0
Causing a sudden rough movement or shock
2
7.7
Sudden, violent body movements that you cannot control
1
9.9
Showing sudden muscle jerks that happen without control
1
8.5
Happening in short, intense periods rather than continuously
1
7.9
Happening in sudden short uncontrolled movements or bursts
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
A disease in young children that causes sudden barking cough, hoarse voice, fever and trouble breathing
How Intermittent
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Spasmodic comes from the word spasm, from the Greek root spasmos meaning 'a sudden pull' or 'a twitch'. Think of a muscle that suddenly twitches — that image shows why spasmodic describes things that happen in short, sudden, and irregular bursts.