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
Trump said, when asked about a recent spasm of anti-police violence in Boston’s South End.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025
Smart was ruled out against the Suns on Monday afternoon because of lower back injury management – a change in injury designation after being listed as out for last Friday’s victory over the Dallas Mavericks and Sunday night’s win against the New Orleans Pelicans because of back spasms.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 2 Dec. 2025
The Bruins were not phoning in the finale of a lost season, as evidenced by Iamaleava's decision to play despite dealing with neck spasms all week.
—CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025
Jaylen Brown, who tied his season high with 41 points against the Wolves after being listed as questionable with low back spasms, was removed from the injury report and cleared to play against Cleveland.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spasm
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025
Smart was ruled out against the Suns on Monday afternoon because of lower back injury management – a change in injury designation after being listed as out for last Friday’s victory over the Dallas Mavericks and Sunday night’s win against the New Orleans Pelicans because of back spasms.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 2 Dec. 2025
The Bruins were not phoning in the finale of a lost season, as evidenced by Iamaleava's decision to play despite dealing with neck spasms all week.
—CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025
Jaylen Brown, who tied his season high with 41 points against the Wolves after being listed as questionable with low back spasms, was removed from the injury report and cleared to play against Cleveland.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spasm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasm
Noun
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Peterson has played limited minutes in the second halves of games since returning from his two-game absence also caused by cramps.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
13 Jan. 2026
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That included three or more loose stools within a 24-hour period, or what is more than normal for that specific person, or vomiting with one of the following symptoms – diarrhea, muscle aches, headaches, abdominal cramps or a fever.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The only constant is Mount Etna, looming off to one side, at times sputtering out smoke, ash, and short bursts of lava.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
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And yet, two-thirds into the song’s six-minute lurch, a beaming synth line appears like a biblical burst of light, a plea for sanctuary from perpetual chaos.—
Stuart Berman,
Pitchfork,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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My research explores how well-meaning, but draconian, efforts to correct the abusive opioid prescription promotion practices of drug companies were followed by a nationwide explosion of overdoses from illicit opioids, again in the absence of equivalent efforts to make opioid treatment available.—
Charles LeBaron,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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The company weathered a near-disastrous explosion at its rocket ranch and continued to expand its ambitions.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As 6-7 went viral, teachers complained that random outbursts by their students were interrupting their lessons.—
Rebekah Willett,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
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Kerr, who was ejected in the loss to the Clippers, was not worried about how the league or his players would react to his outburst.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Following the dramatic discovery, Walker discovers that the long-ago murder is somehow linked to the conspiracy behind the arms dealer and the mysterious volcanic eruption at Crater Lake.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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The activity periodically forms a dome over the main vent, which eventually collapses, causing an eruption.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Intense flash flooding in towns like Wrightwood and Phelan in recent weeks caused devastating mudslides and washed-out roads, forcing people to be rescued by helicopter.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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The look was polished from root to tip, with a glossy finish that practically bounced off the camera flashes.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Sustained, strong winds with even stronger gusts are happening.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Heavy snow and strong wind gusts up to 40 mph will create hazardous travel conditions in northern El Paso County, according to the warning.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasm. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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