1
: an involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction
2
: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or sensation
a spasm of creativity
spasms of pain
spasm
intransitive verb
Examples of spasm in a Sentence
a disease that causes muscle spasms
He was racked with coughing spasms.
She was suffering spasms of guilt.
Recent Examples on the Web
The nation has seen spasms of political violence throughout its history.
—
Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
Bezos' decision caused an unprecedented spasm of anger both within journalism and outside it.
—CBS News, 29 Oct. 2024
Benzodiazepines are depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 22 Oct. 2024
Toxic substances which may be produced by the harmful algal bloom can lead to headaches, weakness, shortness of breath, muscle spasms and gastrointestinal illnesses.
—Lena Miano, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spasm 
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Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
Bezos' decision caused an unprecedented spasm of anger both within journalism and outside it.
—CBS News, 29 Oct. 2024
Benzodiazepines are depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 22 Oct. 2024
Toxic substances which may be produced by the harmful algal bloom can lead to headaches, weakness, shortness of breath, muscle spasms and gastrointestinal illnesses.
—Lena Miano, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spasm
Dictionary Entries Near spasm
Cite this Entry
“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spasm. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spasm
noun1
: a sudden uncontrolled contracting of muscles
back spasms
2
: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or outburst
a spasm of creativity
spasm
verb
Medical Definition
spasm
noun1
: an involuntary and abnormal contraction of muscle or muscle fibers or of a hollow organ (as an artery, the colon, or the esophagus) that consists largely of involuntary muscle fibers
2
: the state or condition of a muscle or organ affected with spasms
the renal artery went into spasm
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