What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paroxysmal
Example
The patient experienced paroxysmal coughing fits throughout the night. [paroxysmal: adjective]
Example
Her paroxysmal outbursts of anger were becoming more frequent. [paroxysmal: adjective]
spasmodic
Example
She suffered from spasmodic contractions in her leg muscles. [spasmodic: adjective]
Example
His attempts to quit smoking were spasmodic at best, with frequent relapses. [spasmodic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spasmodic is more commonly used than paroxysmal in everyday language. Spasmodic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while paroxysmal is less common and typically used in medical or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between paroxysmal and spasmodic?
Both paroxysmal and spasmodic are formal words, but paroxysmal is more technical and specialized, while spasmodic is more general and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
