spasms

noun

plural of spasm
1
as in cramps
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle he suffers terribly from back spasms

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in bursts
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 spasms Heat cramps are painful muscle cramps and spasms that usually occur in the legs and abdomen followed by heavy sweating. — Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 Adames departed Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves due to back spasms after striking out to end the seventh inning, noticeably grimacing during the follow-through of his swing. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 3 July 2026 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 Tucker left in the second with low back spasms, and Rushing was pulled in the third to get checked for a concussion. — CBS News, 22 June 2026 Glasnow left his start in Houston on May 6 after just one inning with back spasms. — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasms
  1. cramps
  2. bursts
  3. explosions
  4. outbursts
  5. eruptions
  6. flashes
  7. gusts
Noun
  • Cyclosporiasis has been sickening thousands of people across the country, particularly in Michigan, recently with an intestinal illness causing explosive diarrhea with severe stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, and unintended weight loss.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
  • As body temperature rises and humidity limits the body’s ability to cool itself, mild symptoms such as cramps and headaches can progress to shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and ultimately life-threatening heat stroke.
    — Laura Schifter, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of cramps
Noun
  • Under rural Spanish skies, particularly in dark-sky regions away from towns and cities, observers could see 30 to 50 meteors per hour, with occasional bursts producing even more.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 14 July 2026
  • When the aorta bursts, blood rushes through the tear, which often leads to sudden death.
    — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 13 July 2026
Definition of bursts
Noun
  • Fedorov’s removal came as Russian missiles struck Kyiv early Thursday, with loud explosions heard in the Ukrainian capital just hours before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was set to arrive.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • And most often these fires, explosions and leaks happen in working-class neighborhoods.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of explosions
Noun
  • There have been other outbursts of violence against immigrants.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • William also was not inclined to let himself be bothered by Harry’s outbursts over the past several weeks, the authors said.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 July 2026
Definition of outbursts
Noun
  • Francesco was known to be an alchemist who experimented with chemical substances, which could explain the skin eruptions, Giuffra added.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Because of its location, Goma has been affected by eruptions of Nyiragongo.
    — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 July 2026
Definition of eruptions
Noun
  • Anyone who notices flashes, new floaters or a shadow in their vision should seek urgent eye care.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026
  • The nurturing Moon in your 12th House of Solitude conjoins sudden Uranus there, so flashes of insight may surface in dreams, meditation, or a quiet shower.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Definition of flashes
Noun
  • After strong wind gusts on Tuesday, milder winds up to 8 mph will breeze through Boise until Wednesday night.
    — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2026
  • Winds are forecasted to be northwest to north winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 35 to 55 mph, strongest in Sundowner wind prone areas of southern Santa Barbara County and relative humidity 10 to 25%.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of gusts

Browse Nearby Words

spasmodic
spasms
spastic
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Cite this Entry

“Spasms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasms. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spasms

Nglish: Translation of spasms for Spanish Speakers

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