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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 Colicky pain occurs as sudden spasmodic abdominal pain that occurs in cycles and then resolves. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024 Kennedy has also previously suggested that his spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder that can impact voice and speech, is a side effect of the flu vaccine. Solcyré Burga, TIME, 16 July 2024 Tragically, Linda Thompson can’t sing anymore due to a medical condition called spasmodic dysphonia. Tribune News Service, New York Daily News, 1 July 2024 In Nigeria, Baba has worked through record heat and spasmodic, severe rainfalls. thehustle.co, 12 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for spasmodic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasmodic
Adjective
  • China has snubbed the Pentagon’s efforts to maintain military-to-military dialogue, and although former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin finally met his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun in May 2024, contacts remain sporadic.
    Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Even with those limitations in place, the state’s procurement of EVs has been sporadic.
    John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • So does that of an excitable young engineer (Jonas Strand Gravli) who pesters him with seemingly fanciful technological dreams.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
  • There’s lots of snarky, adult humor and many high-stakes moments that may be too excitable for younger audiences.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • When do most of us wear gowns outside of the occasional black tie wedding?
    Sarah Boyd, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • According to Vasudevan, short-haired breeds typically need brushing once a week and occasional baths, while medium to long-haired breeds, like the golden retriever in the clip, may need brushing a few times a week to prevent tangles.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Atop all this, Floria is charged with supervising nervous, error-prone student nurse Amelie (Selma) — tempers fray as precious time runs out.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In the final round, a nervous Castle missed his first four dunk attempts for his first dunk of the round, before finishing with pizzaz on a between-the-legs up-and-under one-handed flush.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Of course, Diana herself was an enthusiastic if intermittent London Fashion Week attendee from the mid-’80s onwards, using the flashbulb frenzy that followed her from Coleherne Court to Kensington Palace to illuminate the brilliance of the likes of Joe Casely-Hayford.
    Alice Newbold, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Not much can be made of the expressions on their faces, but the contorted bodies are sketched to reveal a sense—even evoke a sound—of intermittent agony.
    Emmanuel Iduma, ARTnews.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Release date, cast, more Queen Latifah, Adrien Brody, Kerry Washington, more stars flock to Thom Browne's NYFW show 'Really bummed out:' Beverly Ortega explains sudden departure from 'The Bachelor' When is WorldPride Music Festival 2025?
    Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Written and directed by Dylan Southern and adapted from the book Grief Is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter, the new film follows a father (Cumberbatch) and his two sons (Richard and Henry Boxall) who are struggling to cope with the sudden loss of their wife and mother.
    Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Deepfake films, for example, frequently feature odd blinking patterns, erratic lighting and inconsistent facial expressions.
    Rohan Pinto, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • His career arc was atypically jagged and erratic for a pop singer, starting at an unnaturally young age and continuing for decades, but rarely for more than a hit song at a time, and often with many fallow years coming in between them.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spasmodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasmodic. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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