spasm

noun

ˈspa-zəm How to pronounce spasm (audio)
Definition of spasmnext
1
as in cramp
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle he suffers terribly from back spasms

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in burst
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a spasm of love that he had never experienced before

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spasm Stiff-person syndrome’s most common symptoms include muscle stiffness and painful spasms that can lead to secondary effects, like unsteady gait, double vision, and slurred speech, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026 In December 2022, Dion announced she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause muscle stiffness and painful spasms. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 On Saturday, Nick Bolton essentially got a rest day with three plays and Drue Tranquill did not play because of back spasms. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026 Adames diagnosed with back strain Shortstop Willy Adames, who left Wednesday’s game early due to back spasms, underwent an MRI on Thursday that revealed a low back strain. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spasm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasm
  1. cramp
  2. burst
  3. explosion
  4. outburst
  5. eruption
  6. flash
  7. gust
Noun
  • Players can also request a three-minute medical time-out for each injury that occurs — which could include overheating symptoms such as dizziness or cramps.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Salmonella bacteria are a leading cause of foodborne illness in the country, with symptoms including diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of cramp
Noun
  • The burst and ability to create separation jumped out, as did his calm and composed finish, all at seemingly peak speed.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.
    — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • That has led to an explosion in interest in the annual Pacific leaders meeting, which has grown from a casual affair to a summit with 2,000 attendees.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • More messages arrived over Discord, X, WhatsApp, and even from a colleague who had been asked by a friend to see whether Fabian would correct his story to say that the explosion had been caused by interceptor fragments.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • At least that bad-optics outburst, while insubordinate, had something noble at its basis.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • This woman reportedly had already been receiving unwanted and threatening messages, and investigators concluded that Zhou’s AI conversations showed something more than a momentary angry outburst.
    — Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • Roads, vehicles and buildings in several villages in Karo affected by the eruption were covered in gray ash.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Seeing the Braves compete in this series with the Dodgers, from the walk-off win to the ace performances to the timely snags to Truist Park’s eruptions, hearkened back memories of October 2021.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of eruption
Noun
  • The tribe, which requested a disaster declaration separately, was hit with flash flooding June 2-4 after a heavy rain and hail storm.
    — John Hult, States Newsroom, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But that terrible morning is still just a flash of memory away.
    — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of flash
Noun
  • Elsewhere, southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph and minimum humidity 9 to 15%.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Hazards include wind gusts could get as high as 55 mph, frequent lightning and heavy rain.
    — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of gust

Browse Nearby Words

spas
spasm
spasmodic
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Cite this Entry

“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasm. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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