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

In the years between Alien and Covenant, the prospect of commercial space travel has advanced spasmodically at best.

From The Guardian • May 10, 2017

She turned away, fists clenching spasmodically, and when Bogert and Lanning entered, she was at the far window.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

Related Words

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