Meaning & use
spasmodically
In sudden, brief bursts that occur irregularly, rather than continuously or in a steady pattern.
See it in a sentence
The old engine coughed spasmodically before finally settling into a steady rhythm.
He worked on the novel only spasmodically, sometimes writing nothing for months at a time.
A note on using this word
Spasmodically describes irregular bursts of activity or movement, often implying a lack of consistency rather than complete stopping.
Words with a similar meaning
intermittentlyfitfullyerratically
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
continuouslysteadily
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