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 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 But the current Sinaloa turf war—la narcopandemia, locals call it—has created new categories of victims, far from the foot soldiers and hit men targeted in previous spasms of violence. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 Despite the rout in high-flying memory stocks, the VIX stayed well under first-quarter lows and selling in the S&P 500 was contained to momentary spasms. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 Physical withdrawal symptoms can include muscle aches and spasms, gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, sweating and fever. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 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
  • Life advice Pregnancy can sometimes come with physical discomfort, such as hemorrhoids and leg cramps, as the body grows and changes.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Those infected with salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 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
  • The explosions provide different interruptions, punctuating the moment as one of Keeley’s ideas plays out in real time.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Though the threat of an explosion was mitigated in early June, cleanup didn't begin until the very end of the month.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Aug. 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
  • Sonic booms, volcanic eruptions and meteor airbursts can produce similar atmospheric shock waves, potentially creating other natural seismic sources.
    — Nolan Roth, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The eruption also generated roughly 360 cubic miles (1,500 cubic kilometers) of pyroclastic-density-current deposits.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of eruption
Noun
  • Over 460 people have died and hundreds more are missing since catastrophic flash flooding tore through villages along the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday.
    — Joelle Gross, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This heavy rain may produce flash flooding, especially in areas of higher terrain.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 27 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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