1
as in cramps
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle
he suffers terribly from back spasms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
That has led to sudden and swift sell-offs for stocks seen as potentially under threat, and spasms have rolled through industries as seemingly disparate as software, trucking logistics and legal services.
—
Stan Choe, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Jalen Suggs, coming off the Magic bench for the first time this season, scored three points in 13 minutes after missing three games with back spasms.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
That has led to sudden and swift sell-offs for stocks seen as potentially under threat, and spasms have rolled through industries as seemingly disparate as software, trucking logistics and legal services.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Not only was Orlando at a rest disadvantage playing on the second night of a back-to-back at Los Angeles, but Jamahl Mosley‘s squad was also without Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management) and Jalen Suggs (back spasms) for a second game in a row.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
Jalen Suggs missed his second consecutive game for the Magic with back spasms.
—CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
No one knows exactly why these spasms happen.
—Sarah Klein, Outside, 23 Feb. 2026
Harsh words occasionally lead to shots, fights Political disputes have occasionally led to spasms of violence.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
The incident comes as the United States has been rocked by spasms political violence.
—Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Stan Choe, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Jalen Suggs, coming off the Magic bench for the first time this season, scored three points in 13 minutes after missing three games with back spasms.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
That has led to sudden and swift sell-offs for stocks seen as potentially under threat, and spasms have rolled through industries as seemingly disparate as software, trucking logistics and legal services.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Not only was Orlando at a rest disadvantage playing on the second night of a back-to-back at Los Angeles, but Jamahl Mosley‘s squad was also without Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management) and Jalen Suggs (back spasms) for a second game in a row.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
Jalen Suggs missed his second consecutive game for the Magic with back spasms.
—CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
No one knows exactly why these spasms happen.
—Sarah Klein, Outside, 23 Feb. 2026
Harsh words occasionally lead to shots, fights Political disputes have occasionally led to spasms of violence.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
The incident comes as the United States has been rocked by spasms political violence.
—Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasms
Noun
-
With cramps slowing down McDonald, John Brown IV stepped up by scoring and rebounding.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Prolonged dehydration can lead to a whole host of health issues, like headaches, muscle cramps, and fatigue.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This chain reaction — a photoelectric feedback loop — produces intense radiation bursts of X-rays and gamma rays that can reach deep space.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Try setting a timer for yourself and seeing how much you can get done in quick bursts (with breaks in between, of course).—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In Jordan, several explosions believed to be missiles being intercepted were heard along with the sound of fighter jets.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2026
-
At least three explosions were heard Saturday evening near the Intelligence Ministry building in northern Tehran, witnesses said, adding that air defense systems had begun operating there.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But the sun is a relatively quiet star, and Earth's magnetic field is strong enough to protect our planet against those outbursts.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Dark skies will improve the chances of spotting any brief outbursts or brighter meteors.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
However, the eruptions grew stronger in the 1980s and 1990s, reaching heights of up to 75 feet and lasting over 90 minutes, before slowing down in the early 2000s.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
There were a few eruptions over the following years, but the geyser was largely inactive.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Tyler Herro would have flashes of scoring followed by stretches of costly turnovers.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Video shared by Pakistani security officials showed flashes of light in the night from firing along the border and the sound of heavy artillery.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Meteorologists say storms could be capable of producing large hail, damaging wind gusts and possibly a tornado or two, particularly across areas north of Interstate 20 closer to the Red River during the evening hours.—
Michael Cuviello,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
For the Tehachapi Mountains, northeast winds 25 to 35 with gusts up to 50 mph.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spasms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasms. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
