spasming
Muscles contracting uncontrollably
Spasming describes muscles contracting involuntarily and uncontrollably.
A back spasming after heavy lifting, an eyelid spasming from fatigue.
The word emphasizes the ongoing nature of the contraction: My leg kept spasming throughout the night.
Figuratively, something spasming jerks or twitches erratically: The dying engine spasmed and went silent.
Abrupt, spasmodic movement
- twitchingInvoluntary muscular contractions
- shudderingConvulsive trembling motion
- quiveringShaking slightly and rapidly
- shakingRapid involuntary movement
trembling · juddering · thrashing · flailing · writhing · convulsing · fluttering · pulsating
Reduction in size
- myoclonusSudden brief muscle jerks
- fasciculationSpontaneous motor neuron discharge
- crampPainful muscle seizure
- charley horseSudden involuntary muscle contraction
tremor · twitch · seizure · convulsion · rigidity · stiffness · clenching · knotting
Involuntary muscle contraction
- achingExperiencing dull pain
- throbbingRhythmic painful pulsing
- stabbingWounding with a blade
- searingBrowning with intense heat
excruciating · acute · intense · burning · gnawing · gripping · wrenching · shooting
Impossible to restrain
- reflexiveDirected back at subject
- automaticOperating without intervention
- spontaneousArising without external cause
- erraticLacking regularity or consistency
unpredictable · fitful · paroxysmal · episodic · sudden · random · unbidden · unwilled
Having recurring seizures
- neurologicalOf the nervous system
- bronchialOf lung airways
- esophagealOf the swallowing passage
- arterialOf major vessels
cardiac · colon · bladder · laryngeal · vascular · gastrointestinal · intestinal · uterine
jerking
Abrupt, spasmodic movement
- twitchingInvoluntary muscular contractions
- shudderingConvulsive trembling motion
- quiveringShaking slightly and rapidly
shaking · trembling · juddering · thrashing · flailing · writhing · convulsing · fluttering · pulsating · oscillating
contraction
Reduction in size
- myoclonusSudden brief muscle jerks
- fasciculationSpontaneous motor neuron discharge
- crampPainful muscle seizure
charley horse · tremor · twitch · seizure · convulsion · rigidity · stiffness · clenching · knotting · tightness
cramping
Involuntary muscle contraction
searing · excruciating · acute · intense · burning · gnawing · gripping · wrenching · shooting · radiating
uncontrollable
Impossible to restrain
- reflexiveDirected back at subject
- automaticOperating without intervention
- spontaneousArising without external cause
erratic · unpredictable · fitful · paroxysmal · episodic · sudden · random · unbidden · unwilled
epileptic
Having recurring seizures
- neurologicalOf the nervous system
- bronchialOf lung airways
- esophagealOf the swallowing passage
arterial · cardiac · colon · bladder · laryngeal · vascular · gastrointestinal · intestinal · uterine · back
spasmingstill
Unmoving, or continuing
motionless · stationary · immobile · calm · steady
spasm, spasms, spasmodic, spasmed, spasmodically, spastic, spasticity, antispasmodic, muscle spasm