spasm

noun

ˈspa-zəm How to pronounce spasm (audio)
Definition of spasmnext
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

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 Toronto’s Marina Mabrey was a late scratch due to neck spasms, one game after tying the league record with 53 points in a 125-97 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. — ABC News, 27 June 2026 In van Dongen’s case, the pinching motion required to hold a dart would trigger the spasms. — Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026 Even before the back spasms, Tucker was having his worst season by far. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Some patients develop spasms of the vocal cords that obstruct the airway. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spasm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasm
  1. cramp
  2. burst
  3. explosion
  4. outburst
  5. eruption
  6. flash
  7. gust
Noun
  • In recent years, Michigan has typically reported around 50 cases of cyclosporiasis, which causes urgent bouts of watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026
  • People may also have unusually bad gas, stomach cramps and nausea.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 13 July 2026
Definition of cramp
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Thompson is tall, has powerful hands, and possesses an impressive burst.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • Sometimes this little burst of movement triggers noncommittal fish.
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • Several explosions were heard in Bampur last night around midnight local time, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency said.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Authorities announced a blanket inspection following the May explosion, China's deadliest mining accident in years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • While hardly a spotless performance from the second-place Bombers, who threw a bullpen game, their offensive outburst put them four games behind the division-leading Rays.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026
  • There are no explosive revelations, gotcha moments, dramatic confessions, or theatrical outbursts.
    — Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • That shared energy—the crowd noise, the collective exhale, the spontaneous eruption—creates memory at a neurological level.
    — Jonathan Mallie, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • These intestinal eruptions usually last about a week, but can go on for two or more weeks, the CDC says, with dehydration being one of the most significant concerns.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026
Definition of eruption
Noun
  • Ganfield said there was a flash, similar to when a grenade goes off in a film.
    — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • The company also makes NAND flash, or hard drives, and is the market leader, with 19% share in the first quarter, according to IDC.
    — Kif Leswing,Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 9 July 2026
Definition of flash
Noun
  • More than 75 million were in the threat zone for severe storms in the coming hours, stretching across parts of the Plains into the Northeast, with the primary hazard being damaging wind gusts.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • Storms in southeastern New England and the Mid-Atlantic could cause damaging wind gusts, torrential rain and potential flash flooding July 5, AccuWeather meteorologists said.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of gust

Browse Nearby Words

spas
spasm
spasmodic
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Cite this Entry

“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasm. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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