1
as in cramps
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle
he suffers terribly from back spasms
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in bursts
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
a spasm of love that he had never experienced before
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spasms
In 2022, the Canadian singer-songwriter shared she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a neurological disorder that can cause muscle spasms.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
In 2016, Brooks could not even conceive of the spasms and breaches of etiquette that Trumpism would produce on an almost daily basis.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Initially listed as questionable for the game with back spasms, Norman Powell on Sunday morning was downgraded to out because of an upper respiratory illness.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
He was categorized as questionable with back spasms.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
That designation came a day after Powell was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse due to back spasms.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026
Low oxygen in the air can cause spasms in the arteries that supply blood to your visual cortex, the part of your brain responsible for your sight.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
The Lakers played without without Deandre Ayton (back spasms).
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The Pistons said at the time that Cunningham was suffering back spasms.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
In 2016, Brooks could not even conceive of the spasms and breaches of etiquette that Trumpism would produce on an almost daily basis.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Initially listed as questionable for the game with back spasms, Norman Powell on Sunday morning was downgraded to out because of an upper respiratory illness.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
He was categorized as questionable with back spasms.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
That designation came a day after Powell was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse due to back spasms.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026
Low oxygen in the air can cause spasms in the arteries that supply blood to your visual cortex, the part of your brain responsible for your sight.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
The Lakers played without without Deandre Ayton (back spasms).
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The Pistons said at the time that Cunningham was suffering back spasms.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasms
Noun
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In a fanciful technicolor town full of dueling beauty shops, drag queens and midcentury flair, a young woman’s quest to defy her family is upended when her menstrual cramps manifest themselves as actual monsters.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The reality was a tumultuous year defined more by his cramps and seesaw availability than signature moments.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Sperm whales communicate via bursts of clicks, called codas, and the researchers—part of a project called the Cetacean Translation Initiative, or CETI—are hoping one day to decipher what the codas mean.—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2026
-
And Falkous, for all that his bursts of mad atonality hit the ear first, knows precisely where to hammer in every syllable for the maximum impact.—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In Israel, loud explosions filled the air in Tel Aviv and emergency crews responded to nearly a dozen impact sites.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
According to the Iranian media, one witness reported hearing multiple explosions near Mashhad Airport shortly after 7 pm, local time.—
Moriah Thomas,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Cronin has received his share – more than his share, actually – of negative fan reaction for his frequent outbursts at players.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Still, wanting to be a team player, Anthony is warm, friendly, and offers an encouraging word to the future CEO — despite Dougie’s obvious nerves and his random outbursts in Jamaican Patois.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — huge eruptions of solar plasma — could be a threat to Artemis astronauts venturing far beyond our planet, as could cosmic rays, which originate far beyond our solar system.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
And while many are extinct or dormant, two of them, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, are still capable of destructive and deadly eruptions.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That was one of nine strikeouts for Bradley, who showed flashes of the electric stuff that has made the Twins so excited about his future.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
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Then, without warning, colors start rippling across its skin — flashes of deep crimson, bursts of mottled brown, rapid shifts in texture — while its eyes dart and its limbs twitch.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Southerly sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts around 25 mph on Saturday and lowest afternoon and evening humidity of 15 to 25% Friday and Saturday.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
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The front also brought strong wind gusts, kicking up dust and adding to the haze.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spasms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasms. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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