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
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Reddy told Fox News Digital that salmonella bacteria can only be killed by cooking a raw egg — and the disease's symptoms include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The media release advised individuals who ate at Piper Arms Stoney Creek and are experiencing severe or worsening symptoms of Salmonella infection like fever, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps to seek medical attention.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Gluten allergies and sensitivities, which are caused by an intolerance to a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, cause symptoms like painful stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloating, and headaches that can last for days, if not weeks.
—Elliott Harrell, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026
Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026
People may develop severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea that is often bloody.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
The Eagles credited their stamina in their 41 to 14 victory to drinking pickle juice, which helped prevent dehydration and muscle cramps.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Most side effects reported with magnesium are gastrointestinal (GI), including nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
Each tablet contains 200 milligrams of ibuprofen and is one of the best over-the-counter pain relievers for those suffering from conditions such as muscular aches, minor arthritis pain, toothache, backache, menstrual cramps or minor aches.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Reddy told Fox News Digital that salmonella bacteria can only be killed by cooking a raw egg — and the disease's symptoms include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The media release advised individuals who ate at Piper Arms Stoney Creek and are experiencing severe or worsening symptoms of Salmonella infection like fever, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps to seek medical attention.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Gluten allergies and sensitivities, which are caused by an intolerance to a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, cause symptoms like painful stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloating, and headaches that can last for days, if not weeks.
—Elliott Harrell, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026
Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026
People may develop severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea that is often bloody.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
The Eagles credited their stamina in their 41 to 14 victory to drinking pickle juice, which helped prevent dehydration and muscle cramps.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Most side effects reported with magnesium are gastrointestinal (GI), including nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramps
Verb
-
The anti-caking coating that prevents cheese from sticking together also hinders cheese from blending or melting into other foods with ease.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Conversely, destructive energy hinders performance, breeds resentment, and stifles innovation.—
Rebecca Ahmed,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 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,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Let go of whatever impedes your growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The weir prohibits the flow of saltwater into the lagoon and impedes the draining of sediment from the lagoon into the ocean.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But the stunt goes south as Wooley turns out to be an unabashed bigot who embarrasses the show and gets scolded by the host.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Warming permanently handicaps the watershed, shrinking the payoff from wet years.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The San Diego Padres have a lot of money tied up in their star position players, which handicaps them in free agency.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The plan also maintains full scope Medi-Cal for asylees and other immigrant groups who were cut out of Medicaid by the federal government and delays Medi-Cal premiums for undocumented immigrants that would otherwise begin on July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2028.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2026
-
According to the Terner Center at UC Berkeley, each additional public funding source an affordable developer uses, on average, delays a project four months and increases total cost by $20,460 per unit — more than $2 million for a 100-unit community.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cramps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramps. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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