1
as in cramp
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle he suffers terribly from back spasms

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 On the other side of the world, as the Kirk story preoccupied Americans, Nepal reeled from a spasm of violence that erupted when the government tried to ban social media platforms. Dave Smith, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025 The Royals are waiting for his back spasms to subside before getting him back into game action. Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025 The brief spasm, though, betrays an unease in the incredibly slim majority Johnson controls and the volatility in his base. Philip Elliott, Time, 8 Sep. 2025 Over time, this strain causes muscle fatigue, tightening, and spasms, which can develop into a tension headache. Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spasm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasm
Noun
  • Right guard Kevin Dotson battled cramps against the Eagles and was out for the second block.
    Nate Atkins, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • For muscle cramps, spray on the affected area as needed.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Switching gears to summer, easy pieces from swimwear to shirtdresses came in an array of color bursts, and played with prints.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Super Heavy alone is powered by 33 of SpaceX’s Raptor engines that give the initial burst of thrust at liftoff.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Washington Post had reported that residents had grown accustomed to explosions from his stunts and videos and his larger-than-life presence.
    Chris Quintana, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
  • An Associated Press reporter in Chaman heard jets over Spin Boldak, a city in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, and saw smoke rising after an explosion.
    NPR, NPR, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • When Earth crosses paths with this point of a comet’s orbit, a meteor storm occurs, producing an outburst of meteors streaking across the sky.
    Gina Park, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Every few decades or so, the Draconids create a massive outburst with hundreds of meteors an hour visible from some locations on Earth.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After its initial eruption, the crowd began to serenade him.
    Peter Baugh, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The recent eruption of speculative names reminds Cramer of the dotcom boom and bust 25 years ago.
    Julie Coleman, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The company is planning to open a flash joule heating plant to recover metals from electronic waste in Texas in December.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2025
  • But in flashes, the discerning eye could see it.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What To Know As of early Wednesday, a winter weather advisory is in place for Alaska’s Atigun Pass, where the NWS said snow accumulations between five and 10 inches, as well as wind gusts as high as 55 miles per hour, are expected.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • If gusts build, expect lower trajectories, more long irons off tees and conservative lines to back pins.
    Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasm. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

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