1
as in cramp
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle he suffers terribly from back spasms

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 a corresponding move, the Royals placed top reliever Lucas Erceg on the injured list with low back spasms. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025 Weed has also been linked to cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation; myocarditis — an inflammation of the heart muscle — spasms of the heart’s arteries and a higher risk of heart failure. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 5 May 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Permethrin is a neurotoxin that targets an insect’s nervous system, triggering muscle spasms, paralysis, and eventually death. Angela Haupt, Time, 24 June 2025 Rioters across Los Angeles set Waymo cabs ablaze in a spasm of violence over federal immigration enforcement in the West Coast metropolis. Nr Editors, National Review, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for spasm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasm
Noun
  • Symptoms can include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness, and nausea.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • India’s Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, both of whom are elite athletes accustomed to the subcontinent’s harsh heat index, suffered debilitating cramps during the ICC World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, with Gill forced to retire for several innings.
    Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • The galaxy can be seen undergoing a burst of star formation thanks to the tidal influence of a galactic neighbor, with the glowing red form of an emission nebula visible throughout, giving the impression of a cosmic firework display.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 July 2025
  • This act of formality did not prevent an easy atmosphere from developing in our classrooms; there were frequent bursts of laughter.
    Brooke Allen, New Yorker, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • The road closures and evacuation orders around the Esparto fireworks explosion site were lifted on Friday, allowing a closer look at the site where seven people were killed in the July 1 blast.
    Nathaniel Levine, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2025
  • The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has identified the three deputies killed in Friday’s training facility explosion at an East Los Angeles County training site.
    Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • The incident occurred after Brickhouse accused her co-workers of stealing her phone, leading to a violent outburst, court filings say.
    Real-Time News team, Miami Herald, 21 July 2025
  • Also, any strong and sudden outbursts in meteor activity — which are hard to predict, but possible — may last only a few hours.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • There have been three major eruptions at Yellowstone, according to NPS.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 22 July 2025
  • The devastation following the volcano’s famous eruption in 79 CE is well-documented across multiple archeological sites at Pompeii, Herculaneum, and elsewhere.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • Hochul’s office warned that some regions could see up to five inches of rainfall, creating a 70% chance of flash flooding that could impact basements and the subway.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • In 1975, 21 people were killed by a single flash of lightning in Zimbabwe.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Residents should be prepared for wind gusts of up to 55 mph.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2025
  • The storms may bring penny-sized hail (0.75 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasm. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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