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 In 2022, Dion was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare, debilitating progressive neurological disorder that causes muscle rigidity and spasms so violent Dion broke ribs. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2026 After Tua Tagovailoa had back spasms in Thursday’s practice, Rush had little opportunity to get reps with the starters and to be ready for the game on short notice. — Rod Beard, AJC.com, 13 Sep. 2026 He was thrust into the starting lineup Thursday and was suffering from back spasms as late as Saturday. — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for spasm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasm

Noun

Symptoms from their bites include muscle cramps, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and more.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026
Key Takeaways Staying hydrated and getting enough electrolytes—including potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium—may help prevent muscle cramps.

— Oluseun Olufade, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of cramp

Noun

Launched in 2004, the $364 million observatory is designed to pivot quickly -- as its name suggests -- to capture gamma ray bursts, exploding stars and other fast-breaking cosmic action.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
The machines typically used to compress fuel must deliver enormous bursts of energy with exceptional precision.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of burst

Noun

There’s been an explosion that has caused a giant ice shelf dubbed Judy, one roughly the size of Boston, to detach.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026
Blowing up a nuclear bomb in space would first destroy or disable any nearby satellites, and then the damage would spread as electronics-frying energetic particles from the explosion contaminated huge swaths of orbit.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of explosion

Noun

But her mental instability was becoming increasingly apparent, leading to outbursts at work and home.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
The Bears’ historic 59-point Week 1 outburst means the public is likely to pour money into the over, so this is a great spot to zig when the betting public zags.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of outburst

Noun

If the caldera had collapsed after the eruption, the landslide deposits should lie on top of the pyroclastic layers.

— Yook Ji Hun, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
Charred to a crisp during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in AD 79, hundreds of papyrus scrolls lie tucked away unread in Italy’s National Library of Naples.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of eruption

Noun

While high winds are expected, the main concern is flash flooding, said John Bravender, a weather service warning coordination meteorologist, during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

— MEGAN JANETSKY, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
The cinematic video features a flash of 13 scenes (of course), including one close-up shot that shows Swift looking emotional with very little makeup except maybe a coat of mascara.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of flash

Noun

Tidal surges swamped low-lying neighborhoods in New Jersey while wind gusts toppled trees on New York’s Long Island, damaging homes and bringing down utility poles.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
The material also has a waterproof rating of 5,000mm-plus, a wind resistance of up to 50-mph gusts, and UPF 100 protection for blocking harsh sunrays.

— Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of gust

Browse Nearby Words

spas

spasm

spasmodic

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“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasm. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of spasm

noun

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