Standard Lemma guide

spasmodic

adj · noun · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /spæzˈmɒd.ɪk/
  • US: /spæzˈmɑ.dɪk/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: S P AE0 Z M AO1 D IH0 K Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Of or relating to a spasm; resembling a sudden contraction of the muscles.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Convulsive; consisting of spasms.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • spasmodic asthma

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Intermittent or fitful; occurring in abrupt bursts.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • spasmodic zeal or industry

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: patchy, stop-start, broken, fitful, ragged, catchy, discontinuous, intermissive, intermittent, spasmodic

Antonyms: none provided

4

adj

Meaning 4

Erratic or unsustained.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adj

Meaning 5

Of or relating to the spasmodic poets, a group of British Victorian poets who wrote introspective drama in verse.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

A medicine for suppressing spasms.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: antispasmodic

Antonyms: none provided

7

adjective satellite

Meaning 7

occurring in spells and often abruptly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • fitful bursts of energy
  • spasmodic rifle fire

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fitful

Antonyms: none provided

8

adjective satellite

Meaning 8

affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • convulsive motions
  • his body made a spasmodic jerk
  • spastic movements

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: convulsive, spastic

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From New Latin spasmōdicus, from Ancient Greek σπασμώδης (spasmṓdēs, “spasmodic”), from σπασμός (spasmós, “spasm”).

Across languages

Translations

23 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: спазматичен (spazmatičen) — of or relating to a spasm
  • Catalan: espasmòdic — of or relating to a spasm
  • French: spasmodique — of or relating to a spasm
  • Italian: spasmodico — of or relating to a spasm
  • Polish: spazmatyczny — of or relating to a spasm
  • Polish: skurczowy — of or relating to a spasm
  • Russian: спазмати́ческий (spazmatíčeskij) — of or relating to a spasm
  • Russian: спазмоподо́бный (spazmopodóbnyj) — of or relating to a spasm
  • Spanish: espasmódico — of or relating to a spasm
  • Bulgarian: конвулсивен (konvulsiven) — convulsive; consisting of spasms
  • Catalan: espasmòdic — convulsive; consisting of spasms
  • Italian: spasmodico — convulsive; consisting of spasms
  • Polish: konwulsyjny — convulsive; consisting of spasms
  • Russian: конвульсивный (konvulʹsivnyj) — convulsive; consisting of spasms
  • Spanish: espasmódico — convulsive; consisting of spasms
  • Māori: kōhikohiko — intermittent or fitful; occurring in short bursts
  • Māori: tāmutumutu — intermittent or fitful; occurring in short bursts
  • Māori: taratahi — intermittent or fitful; occurring in short bursts
  • Māori: kauteatea — intermittent or fitful; occurring in short bursts
  • Polish: przerywany — intermittent or fitful; occurring in short bursts
  • Russian: прерывистый (preryvistyj) — intermittent or fitful; occurring in short bursts
  • Polish: nieregularny — erratic or unsustained
  • Russian: нерегулярный (nereguljarnyj) — erratic or unsustained