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 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 The Royals batted around, even without star shortstop Bobby Witt, who missed the game with back spasms. David Brown, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025 According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms typically include changes to vision, muscle weakness, spasms, numbness, loss of balance and cognitive impairment. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spasm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasm
Noun
  • And if not for leaving for seven plays in the fourth quarter with cramps, Dowdle almost certainly would have broken Williams’ mark.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Some people consider dark chocolate a natural remedy for period cramps and pain.
    Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Its approach to comedy is ripped straight from the world of musical cast parties and improv shows, with every performer doing their best to turn every line into a GIF-able burst of wholesome self-deprecation.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
  • This simple yet powerful step turned noisy, unreliable photon signals into clean bursts of single photons — a breakthrough for future quantum technologies.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Florida, meanwhile, had an offensive explosion with 457 yards on a night when quarterback DJ Lagway and receiver Dallas Wilson — making his college debut after a foot injury sidelined the freshman prior to Saturday — showed off the upside the Gators have been waiting for.
    Grace Raynor, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Attack largest of war on Lviv, Governor says A Reuters correspondent heard explosions booming across the dark morning sky as air defenses engaged targets from several directions.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The drama centers on 17-year-old Lee Jooin (Seo Su-bin), an unpredictable high school student whose angry outburst creates ripple effects throughout her world.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Late in the Lynx's 86-81 Game 4 loss to Phoenix, Collier suffered an ankle injury on a controversial no-call that resulted in a fiery sideline outburst from Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • These spirals of solar wind can lead to large solar eruptions that can affect astronauts in orbit and key technological infrastructure on Earth.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The dazzling display is linked to two solar eruptions, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), that are now heading toward Earth.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The sequence of light flashes indicates the sequence of bases.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Its decay produces flashes of light in the detector that can mimic potential dark matter signals.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One vessel recorded a minimum air pressure of 955 millibars and hurricane-force gusts topping 150 miles per hour.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Imelda is expected to track much closer to Bermuda than Humberto, with the potential for a direct landfall, sustained winds of more than 74 mph and higher gusts, and up to 4 inches of rain Wednesday into Thursday.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasm. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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