Spasm

Definitions

1. A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ.
2. A violent, excruciating seizure of pain.
3. A sudden and temporary burst of energy, activity, or emotion.

Equivalents

Examples

“Jessica went into spasms after eating a peanut.”

“He would use⟳ the simplest, plainest language, he said to himself over and over again; but it is not always easy to use⟳ simple, plain language,—by no means so easy as to mount⟳ on stilts, and to march⟳ along with sesquipedalian words, with pathos, spasms, and notes of interjection.”

“Both Spear & Davis were indicted in the witchhunt surrounding the sensational (if nonexistent) "Revere sex ring⟳." Both men have⟳ said they have⟳ been police targets since at least 1975, following the anti-gay spasm which ensued after Dick Bavely's suicide.”

CEFR level