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Glite Dictionary
spastically

spastically

1 9.9
Happening in a sudden, uncontrolled, and awkward way
  • adverb
  • /spæˈstɪkli/
  • Slur
: espásticamente
  • He went down in a heap and stayed there, gasping, though he tried spastically to struggle to his feet.
  • twitches spastically
  • jerks spastically

You know where you're at, you do some takes and then he's like, I want you to be like spastically drunk, like out of your mind falling down drunk and you and your heart of hearts go.

Examples

  • The kids in the bleachers are in hysterics as Smoochy shakes his body spastically.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Chuck Barris spastically dances on the screen along with Gene Gene the Dancing Machine.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • This, I knew, was the last chance to act, however spastically.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The elevator doors open and the mass of zombies starts to spastically pile out.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • NFL running back Billy Cole stares straight ahead, mouth working spastically.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Ed spastically storms away.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Gustav, meanwhile, is dribbling the ball semi-spastically, and for a while, I do nothing but watch him.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Mo's hand twitches spastically.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • He waves at the helicopter, which goes away, kneels over Hull, who is twitching spastically on the ground, gasping for air.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • The dancer stumbled and her arms moved spastically as she tried to regain her balance.

Synonyms

clumsily
vsspastically
11 2.8

In an awkward way that shows little skill or control

is an insulting way to describe awkward or uncoordinated actions
jerkily
vsspastically
1 5.2

With sudden, uneven movements that are not smooth

is an offensive term for similar abrupt, uncontrolled movements
spasmodically
vsspastically
1 8.6

Happens at irregular times in short, sudden bursts

is used offensively for sudden uncontrolled bursts of movement
stumblingly
vsspastically
1 7.0

Move or speak in an awkward, unsteady way as if about to fall

is an insulting label for awkward, uncontrolled movement rather than mere clumsiness
lurchingly
vsspastically
1 8.9

With sudden, unsteady movements that make you lose balance

is used offensively for similar uncontrolled, awkward sudden jerks
twitchily
vsspastically
1 7.0

In a nervous way with small quick movements

is used offensively to describe uncontrolled small nervous movements

Antonyms

gracefully
49 2.8

In a smooth and beautiful way that looks controlled

How Jerky

spastically
  • Slur
1 9.9
jerkily
1 5.2
awkwardly
36 2.7
smoothly
132 2.3

Surface Forms

spastically positive

Morphology

spastically = spastic (transparent) = spastic + ally

Formed regularly from the adjective 'spastic' with the adverbial suffix '-ally', so the meaning 'in a spastic manner' is directly derivable.

Etymology

Spastically comes from the same root as spasm and the old Greek spasmos, which mean 'a sudden, uncontrolled movement'. Today it is used to describe movements like that, but it is often used as an insult and can be very hurtful, so it is best to avoid using the word about people.