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

Spasmodically for a century Peru and Ecuador have tried to reach a settlement of the dispute.

From Time Magazine Archive

Spasmodically The Gray Phantom pressed the receiver closer to his ear.

From The Gray Phantom by Landon, Herman

Spasmodically, too, one would be seen improving his mind.

From A Bed of Roses by George, Walter Lionel

Spasmodically he indulged in bursts of confidence—confidences of the kind not calculated to improve my opinion of his profession.

From My Actor-Husband A true story of American stage life by Anonymous

Spasmodically they entertained a good deal at the Red House, and Mark's preference—call it kindliness or vanity, as you please—was for guests who were not in a position to repay his hospitality.

From The Red House Mystery by Milne, A. A. (Alan Alexander)

Related Words

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