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
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Recent Examples of spasm
Sale stayed healthy last season until back spasms forced him to miss his final regular-season start and also kept him off the postseason roster for the wild-card series at San Diego, where the Braves were swept in two games.
—
David O'Brien, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Such spasm of small blood vessels in the brain can also result in cognitive issues related to repairing and stabilizing such blood vessel abnormalities, whether by traditional opening of the skull (craniotomy) or even novel endovascular neurosurgical approaches.
—Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Kreider dealt with back spasms, vertigo, a broken hand and other maladies in a down year last season, but had been coming off three of the best campaigns of his career.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
At the same time, the United States has also gone through periodic spasms of intense anti-immigrant feeling.
—Viet Thanh Nguyễn, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spasm
David O'Brien, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Such spasm of small blood vessels in the brain can also result in cognitive issues related to repairing and stabilizing such blood vessel abnormalities, whether by traditional opening of the skull (craniotomy) or even novel endovascular neurosurgical approaches.
—Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Kreider dealt with back spasms, vertigo, a broken hand and other maladies in a down year last season, but had been coming off three of the best campaigns of his career.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
At the same time, the United States has also gone through periodic spasms of intense anti-immigrant feeling.
—Viet Thanh Nguyễn, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spasm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasm
Noun
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Most households have a stash of painkillers tucked away for surprise headaches or stubborn cramps.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2025
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Salmonella infections are commonly associated with diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, according to the CDC.—
Addy Bink,
The Hill,
8 June 2025
Noun
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April 2025 The Star: The cards suggest April will bring a refreshing burst of hope and clarity for you, Aries, as The Star invites you to reconnect with your dreams and aspirations.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
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The Venetian police’s hybrids, recently aquired, are by Huracan Marine, designed to run on diesel when the cops need bursts of speed, and on electricity when slow cruising is required.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
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The Yankees’ double-digit explosion on a rainy night provided plenty of breathing room for a bullpen that has been taxed and decimated by injuries.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
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These new requirements, including this relatively tight deadline, could trigger an explosion of litigation across the state as condo associations begin to reassess governing documents, assessment structures, and recorded declarations, Pardo said.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Noun
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For its part, the Kremlin has played down any suggestion that President Trump’s recent critical outburst has had much impact.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
9 July 2025
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Willi Castro belted a solo shot off Hodge to make it 5-0, Lewis singled in a run, and Harrison Bader completed the six-run outburst with a two-run homer of his own off Hodge.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Featuring hundreds of diagrams from the past millennium, ranging from financial charts to maps of volcanic eruptions, the exhibition provides the kind of survey that brings definition to an entire category of visual communication.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Earth processes – such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions – also trigger cascading hazards, often with long-lasting effects.—
Brian J. Yanites,
The Conversation,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Residents are urged to take precautions as further flash flooding is possible.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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After weeks, months and years of observations, astronomers will have a time-lapse record revealing anything that explodes, flashes or moves – such as supernovas, variable stars or asteroids.—
Samantha Thompson,
Space.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
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South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2025
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West southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasm. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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