Synonyms for spasm
- noun
Definitions
- n. 1
A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ.
Jessica went into spasms after eating a peanut.
Forms
- Plural
- spasms → cramps, twitches, paroxysms, convulsions…
Example sentences
- twitch He began to twitch uncontrollably as I called 911.
- cramp I got a cramp in my leg for having stood so long.
- paroxysm Then suddenly he slapped his thigh in a paroxysm of amusement.
- seizure Have you ever been diagnosed with a seizure disorder?
- tetanus Tom got a tetanus jab after being bitten by a dog.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| spasm | steady | |
| twitch | rising | |
| cramp | rising | |
| convulsion | falling | |
| paroxysm | steady | |
| seizure | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- fit1
- 5 letters
- cramp1, crick1, throe
- 6 letters
- twitch1
- 7 letters
- seizure2, tetanus3
- 8 letters
- paroxysm
- 10 letters
- convulsion3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (seizure2 = 2 syllables).