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
Moments later, the spasms began.
—
Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
About 1% of the US population has axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), a rare form of inflammatory arthritis that can cause severe joint pain, muscle spasms, stiffness, and discomfort throughout the body.
—Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
Reid said right guard Trey Smith would miss the day’s session due to back spasms.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
On Tuesday evening, the team updated the injury status of All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, listing him as questionable to take the court with back spasms.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spasm
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Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
About 1% of the US population has axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), a rare form of inflammatory arthritis that can cause severe joint pain, muscle spasms, stiffness, and discomfort throughout the body.
—Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
Reid said right guard Trey Smith would miss the day’s session due to back spasms.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
On Tuesday evening, the team updated the injury status of All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, listing him as questionable to take the court with back spasms.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spasm
Cite this Entry
“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spasm. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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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