spasmodically

[ spaz-mod-ik-lee ]

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.

Other Words From

• un·spas·mod·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of spasmodically¹

spasmodic ( def ) + -ally ( def )

Example Sentences

Hancock has spasmodic dysphonia, which makes it difficult to speak.

From Fortune

It was a conversation pressed spasmodically by the guerrillas, with a view to a negotiated political settlement with the U.S.

From The Daily Beast

Bascomb muttered something to himself, his shoulders heaved and his hands clenched spasmodically.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, at Cordelia's amazed look of shocked distress, she hugged her spasmodically.

From Project Gutenberg

For a moment he knelt gasping beside the shapeless being, his great hands spasmodically feeling the pulseless breast.

From Project Gutenberg

His eager, nervous face was white; his chipmunk eyes narrowed; his great hands, held palm backward, clutched spasmodically.

From Project Gutenberg

Her fingers clenched spasmodically, as though she already felt the hilt of the fatal blade between them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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