spasmodic
Occurring in bursts
Spasmodic describes something occurring in sudden, irregular bursts rather than steadily: spasmodic gunfire, spasmodic efforts at reform.
The word connects to spasm—a sudden involuntary muscle contraction—and extends to anything fitful or intermittent.
His spasmodic attempts to quit smoking never lasted more than a week.
Occurring irregularly, infrequently
- periodicOccurring at intervals
- episodicOccurring in distinct segments
- occasionalHappening at intervals
- on-and-offOccurring at irregular intervals
recurrent · cyclical · discontinuous · infrequent · irregular · interrupted · alternating · staccato
Forcible taking or convulsion
- tremorsSlight shaking movements
- twitchingInvoluntary muscular contractions
- contractionsShortened word forms
- convulsionSudden involuntary muscle contractions
paroxysm · myoclonus · clonic · tonic · spasticity · shuddering · shaking · quivering
Sharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- impulsiveActing without deliberation
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
precipitous · unforeseen · surprising · unpredictable · swift · flash · momentary · violent
sporadic
Occurring irregularly, infrequently
- periodicOccurring at intervals
- episodicOccurring in distinct segments
- occasionalHappening at intervals
on-and-off · recurrent · cyclical · discontinuous · infrequent · irregular · interrupted · alternating · staccato · fitful
seizure
Forcible taking or convulsion
- tremorsSlight shaking movements
- twitchingInvoluntary muscular contractions
- contractionsShortened word forms
convulsion · paroxysm · myoclonus · clonic · tonic · spasticity · shuddering · shaking · quivering · fit
abrupt
Sharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- impulsiveActing without deliberation
explosive · precipitous · unforeseen · surprising · unpredictable · swift · flash · momentary · violent · sharp
- infrequencyrarely, seldom, infrequent, infrequently, occasionally
- muscle conditionstoned, flexed, relaxed, tense, tight
- motionmotion, movement, velocity, speed, momentum
- intermittentintermittent, sporadic, periodic, on-off, discontinuous
- shaky thingsshaky, quivering, tremulous, shivering, quaking
- frequencyfrequency, hertz, Hz, kilohertz, megahertz
spasmodiccontinuous
Without pause or gap
steady · constant · regular · uninterrupted · consistent
spasmodicsmooth
Without roughness or difficulty
controlled · fluid · relaxed · even · graceful
spasmodiccalm
Free from agitation
composed · steady · unflappable · imperturbable · collected
- spasmodic dysphoniaNeurological vocal cord disorder