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
ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
The Star spoke to former KU guard Elmarko Jackson about Peterson’s full-body cramps at the NCAA Tournament.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
Ian Fray, who left the game with leg cramps, has been undergoing treatment for leg discomfort and did not train Friday.
—Michelle Kaufman
may 8, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
Greek Yogurt Greek yogurt is an effective food for relieving muscle cramps.
—Oluseun Olufade, Verywell Health, 8 May 2026
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people with salmonella infection have watery diarrhea that might have blood or mucus and stomach cramps that can be severe.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 7 May 2026
The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, ear discomfort, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation.
—Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
Most people infected with salmonella typically experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, with symptoms usually starting 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria, according to the CDC.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
In the prodromal phase, infected people have vague flu-like symptoms, often fever, fatigue, headache, body aches, abdominal cramps, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
—ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
The Star spoke to former KU guard Elmarko Jackson about Peterson’s full-body cramps at the NCAA Tournament.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
Ian Fray, who left the game with leg cramps, has been undergoing treatment for leg discomfort and did not train Friday.
—Michelle Kaufman
may 8, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
Greek Yogurt Greek yogurt is an effective food for relieving muscle cramps.
—Oluseun Olufade, Verywell Health, 8 May 2026
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people with salmonella infection have watery diarrhea that might have blood or mucus and stomach cramps that can be severe.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 7 May 2026
The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, ear discomfort, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation.
—Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
Most people infected with salmonella typically experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, with symptoms usually starting 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria, according to the CDC.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramps
Noun
-
These obstacles seemed insurmountable, but the group pushed on for over three years.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
The stadium deal in Vancouver is one of the biggest obstacles in trying to keep the team there.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
This imbalance hinders some of the phrasing's sweetness in the vocal harmony.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
8 May 2026
-
Vast terrain hinders search The immediate area in Stewart County where the search is currently contained is covered with big trees and steep hills, as well as snakes and ticks, according to the sheriff.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Bebe Rexha was hit in the face with a cellphone, resulting in a man getting arrested and the singer getting stitches.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
Back in 2023, Bebe Rexha was struck by a phone at a New York City concert and had to get stitches.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Ramona High’s Remingtyn Bryant was struggling in the 100-meter hurdles.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Experts warn there are big hurdles to a broader solar revolution, however.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Hart entered the season with a splint in his right ring finger, sustained back spasms in the Abu Dhabi preseason opener against the 76ers then had another lower back injury this season.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
-
Narges Mohammadi’s brother, Hamidreza, tells TIME that his sister is suffering from a condition known as Prinzmetal angina, which causes spasms in the coronary arteries and can trigger heart attacks and other serious complications.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The professional embarrassments even take place at the level of state supreme courts.—
Martin Kaste,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
-
That’s not only because judges are fining more lawyers for their laziness, but because the publicity about these embarrassments has been inescapable.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
State and federal agencies don’t track data around vitamin K injection refusal or subsequent bleeding, which impedes their ability to quantify and track outcomes, including death.—
Duaa Eldeib,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
Let go of whatever impedes your progress.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cramps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramps. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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