spasmodic

/spæzˈmɑdɪk/

Something that is spasmodic is experiencing a fit, a loss of muscular control. If you are spazzing out, you are spasmodic.

A sudden fit or involuntary contraction of the muscles is called a spasm; thus spasmodic means to behave in such a way. Spasmodic is also commonly used to refer to a violent emotional outburst — for example, your parents might be spasmodic when they discover you're really majoring in partying, not medicine, at college.

Definitions of spasmodic

1. adjective

   occurring in spells and often abruptly
   “spasmodic rifle fire”

   synonyms: fitful

   sporadic

   recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
2. adjective

   affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
   “his body made a spasmodic jerk”

   synonyms: convulsive, spastic

   unsteady

   subject to change or variation