Adoniram Judson

It is my growing conviction that the Baptist churches in America are behind the age in missionary spirit. They now and then make a spasmodic effort to throw off a nightmare debt of some years' accumulation, and then sink back into unconscious repose.

American Clergyman

Charles A. Beard

The study of history reveals that human progress has not been continuous and regular, but intermittent and spasmodic, often depending upon apparently accidental causes. It is difficult to get a cross-section view of society at any given stage.

American Historian

Tom Burke

I think, unlike other superheroes, what one gleans about the Musketeers, certainly from the source material, is that the good that they do happens in quite a spasmodic manner, in short bursts.

Use 'spasmodic' to describe actions that start and stop, not flowing smoothly.

Non-continuous

It's for events that occur at times that are not predictable or regular.

Irregular Intervals

When efforts or successes happen unexpectedly and not often, 'spasmodic' fits well.

Effort or Success

'Spasmodic' often relates to muscles or body parts suddenly contracting tightly.

Medical Condition

Use it when referring to actions that are quick and often without warning.

Sudden and Brief

 find their way there? There was a secret message in her choreography. What had seemed to countless generations of observers to be nothing more than the meaningless spasmodic motions