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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2

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 Butler missed his first game as a Warrior with back spasms, and the Warriors felt the pain. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025 Samuel has Raynaud’s syndrome, a condition in which blood vessel spasms cause your hands, feet, or other body parts to feel numb and turn colors in cold weather. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 3 Mar. 2025 The pope had a bronchial spasm on Friday that caused him to inhale vomit, which required non-invasive mechanical ventilation, according to an update from the Vatican. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 Whenever Iran suffers one of its periodic spasms of unrest, as happened at the end of 2022 following the death of a young Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, in police custody, protesters criticize Iran’s overseas entanglements. Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spasm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spasm
Noun
  • Symptoms of UTIs include frequent urination that is painful or burns, bloody urine, low stomach cramps and the need to urinate even after having just gone.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025
  • That was until last week, when her company, Wave Bye, launched its line of supplements to promote cycle regularity and help curb bleeding and cramps.
    Max Scheinblum, The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The transformed Hidden Jungle aviary bursts with hundreds of butterflies each spring, attracting butterfly enthusiasts from across the region.
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • An 8-year-old Utah boy jumping on a trampoline miraculously survived after a strong wind burst sent him several feet into the air.
    David Chiu, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Since that offensive explosion, however, the Reds' bats have been dormant.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In the latest explosion of violence, at least 31 people were killed and dozens others were injured Thursday after the Israeli military struck the Dar al-Arqam School in the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, according to a statement by the Gaza Civil Defense.
    Lauren Izso, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Common types include oppositional defiant disorder (distrust and aggression toward authority figures) and intermittent explosive disorder (frequent outbursts of anger).
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Muncy’s two errors allowed the Braves to jump on them, and the second-inning outburst was extended when Andy Pages misjudged a ball in center field that clanked off his glove for a run-scoring double.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The most recent eruption of this volcano was in 2005.
    Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Mars contains volcanic plains formed by past eruptions and inactive shield volcanoes that are much more massive than Earth’s volcanoes; Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the entire Solar System, stands at about 2.5 times the height of Mt. Everest.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Truly, the potential is there for a historic flash flooding event.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Some areas could see up to four months' worth of rain in just five days, leading to flash flooding in areas unaccustomed to such events.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The storms are anticipated to bring wind gusts of up to 60 mph and penny-sized hail (0.75 inches).
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
  • As Jake was jumping on the trampoline, a sudden and heavy gust of wind elevated him and the trampoline 20 feet in the air, according to the report.
    David Chiu, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spasm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on spasm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!