as in contractions
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle
I was suddenly awakened by a cramp in my leg
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
an antismoking ordinance that was seen as just another cramp on business by bar owners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hinders
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
having to constantly entertain guests at the summer cottage was really cramping my writing efforts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cramps
Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Common symptoms of Vibrio infection include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure and blistering lesions.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Only minor side effects were reported, like mildly upset stomachs and muscle cramps.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Potential side effects from oral or rectal mineral oil laxatives include anal itching, anal discharge, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and nutrient imbalances.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
Its weighted design comfortably drapes over your neck and shoulders, while a variety of heat settings provide soothing warmth to help ease cramps and stiffness in your back, legs and feet.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Despite players on both teams suffering cramps on a hot and humid night, both teams were willing to wait it out.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The advisory underscored that high temperatures could trigger a spectrum of medical problems—from painful muscle cramps to life-threatening heat stroke—especially among sensitive groups.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Excessive zinc supplements can lead to cramps, headaches, nausea, and more.
—Mikelle Street, Them., 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
Symptoms of nicotine poisoning can include abdominal cramps, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, headache and vomiting.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Common symptoms of Vibrio infection include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure and blistering lesions.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Only minor side effects were reported, like mildly upset stomachs and muscle cramps.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Potential side effects from oral or rectal mineral oil laxatives include anal itching, anal discharge, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and nutrient imbalances.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
Its weighted design comfortably drapes over your neck and shoulders, while a variety of heat settings provide soothing warmth to help ease cramps and stiffness in your back, legs and feet.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Despite players on both teams suffering cramps on a hot and humid night, both teams were willing to wait it out.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The advisory underscored that high temperatures could trigger a spectrum of medical problems—from painful muscle cramps to life-threatening heat stroke—especially among sensitive groups.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Excessive zinc supplements can lead to cramps, headaches, nausea, and more.
—Mikelle Street, Them., 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramps
Verb
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This innovative platform, which researchers are exploring for applications ranging from flu to cancer to AIDS, poses a threat to global defenses against future crises and hinders progress in biomedical innovation.—
Bernadette Boden Albala,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The Bonner hamstring injury further hinders this crew.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The university has also cracked down on chalking on campus sidewalks, which critics say impedes the free speech rights of students.—
Chris Quintana,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Let go of whatever impedes your growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
John Malkovich shows up for a tangent that is meant to be expositional, but really only needlessly delays what’s coming.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Others say that approach risks keeping critical documents under wraps and delays a fuller accounting.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cramps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramps. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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