SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
spasmodic
adjective
Occurring in sudden, irregular bursts.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
In irregular bursts
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topSpasmodic stresses abrupt bursts rather than smooth continuity. Occasional is weaker and need not imply abruptness or irregularity.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See spasmodic in use
Spasmodic applause interrupted the otherwise quiet rehearsal.
Spasmodic tapping from a neighboring workspace arrives in sudden, irregular bursts as another maker alternates between marking and fastening small pieces.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license