spasmodically

American  

[spaz-mod-ik-lee] / spæzˈmɒd ɪk li /

adverb

1. in sudden, brief, or sporadic bursts.

   The plane engine began to cough and sputter spasmodically.

   Mail arrived only spasmodically, so communication with the outside world was limited.

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Other Word Forms

• unspasmodically adverb

Etymology

Origin of spasmodically

spasmodic ( def. ) + -ally ( def. )

Example Sentences

Paulekas was easy to spot in the crowd of wildly attired, spasmodically gyrating teenagers: He was the old guy in his 50s with the wisps of silver hair, Salvador Dali goatee and white bell bottoms.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2022

He had a habit of gyrating and moving his body spasmodically while performing, and even while being promoted as the “Wonder of the World,” many described him as an “idiot,” even an “imbecile.”

From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2021

The narrative is spasmodically gripping, with Mr le Carré at his old best in full flow.

From Economist • Sep. 7, 2017

It’s the best sport in the world right now, by a distance, in my spasmodically humble opinion.

From The Guardian • Dec. 29, 2015

I heard the sudden crunch of footsteps on gravel and, hardly aware of what I was doing, turned away spasmodically and pretended to inspect the trunk of a nearby tree.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

• again and again
• generally
• intermittently
• many times
• often
• periodically
• regularly
• time and again
• usually