MEANING
A sudden involuntary muscular contraction, sometimes painful and sometimes prolonged.
Use it for
A body resisting control; a sudden muscular interruption; movement with no apparent intentionLocate the contracting muscle or affected body part to avoid vague thrashing.
Words that belong together
- muscle spasm
- violent spasm
- spasm of the jaw
On the page
A spasm locked her jaw halfway through the word.
The leg bent in a sudden spasm.
He waited for the muscle spasm to ease before moving the patient.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- spasm
Usage notes
Primary category: horror. Not every tremor or voluntary jerk is a spasm; it can be local rather than a whole-body convulsion. Figurative bursts are a secondary use. Noun plural: spasms. Derived/related family (not inflections): spasmodic (adjective).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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