Thesaurus results for SPASM

spasm

noun

ˈspa-zəm

Definition of spasm

as in cramp

a painful sudden tightening of a muscle he suffers terribly from back spasms

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Coronary Artery Spasm — Also more common in women, coronary artery spasm is caused by an artery tightening, which cuts off oxygen and blood flowing into the heart muscle. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Sep. 2026 For some reason, her spasms of agony were never spoken of in the daytime; there was no place for them in the family discourse. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 Tuesday marked Glasnow’s first start since May 6 in Houston, when back spasms cut his outing short after one inning. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Stiff-person syndrome’s most common symptoms include muscle stiffness and painful spasms that can lead to secondary effects, like unsteady gait, double vision, and slurred speech, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spasm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasm

Noun

Spoiled food can harbor harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever.

— Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2026
McCaffrey dealt with cramps in the first half and finished with 10 carries for 68 yards, while the rookie Black showed his thirst for contact and speed with 14 carries for 65 yards.

— Vic Tafur, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of cramp

Noun

South Korea’s Defense Ministry said the explosion occurred during an unspecified operation near the military demarcation line in the western section of the border buffer zone, commonly known as the DMZ.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
Some residents in Riyadh heard an explosion, and later some saw a plume of smoke near the airport.

— Tucker Reals, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of explosion

Noun

His dismissal wasn’t so much the result of one outburst or misstep, the person told The Times, but the culmination of a season’s worth of issues that boiled over in the wake of the Nebraska loss.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Tristan Peters fouled off 12 pitches in an 18-pitch at-bat that keyed Chicago's six-run outburst in the sixth inning and the White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 on Monday night to stay atop the AL Central.

— CBS News, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of outburst

Noun

But Alex Bregman and the rest of the Cubs’ offensive eruption allowed Imanaga to settle into cruise control, which helped give the Cubs a 12-2 blowout of the Pirates at Wrigley Field.

— Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
The Geology Agency cautioned that volcanic activity remains elevated and the probability of further eruptions is still high.

— Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of eruption

Noun

Long Angle ran a flash poll after the Fed rate hike with 53% of respondents seeing the biggest upside in tech, with energy and utilities.

— Frank Holland, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
Human remains found in the Grand Canyon this week were those of the last remaining person missing after the deadly flash flooding in late August, the victim’s wife said Thursday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of flash

Noun

Wind speeds will range from 11 to 14 mph, with gusts projected to reach 26 mph.

— The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 20 Sep. 2026
The primary threats will be frequent lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and locally heavy rainfall of 1–3 inches, which could cause quick ponding or localized flooding.

— Keily Alfonzo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of gust

Browse Nearby Words

spas

spasm

spasmodic

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Style

“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasm. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of spasm

noun

Example Sentences

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