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
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Symptoms often include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps and vomiting, typically appearing within six hours to six days after exposure, according to the CDC.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
In Australia, Carlos Alcaraz overcame cramps and injury to fend off Alexander Zverev in an epic, momentum-swinging five-setter Friday to become the youngest man in the Open era to reach the finals of all four Grand Slam events.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
Defensive end Kobie Turner (cramps) also exited in the third.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner was saved by extreme heat rules in the third set of his match while limping and desperately trying to stretch out cramps in his arms and legs.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Protein plays many vital roles in keeping your body healthy, but eating too much at once can cause uncomfortable side effects such as constipation and stomach cramps.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2026
Priscilla Hon secured her first trip to the second round of her home major in six years and also helped her opponent Marina Stakusic leave the court in a wheelchair after the Canadian qualifier collapsed with severe leg cramps.
—John Pye, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2026
Those include a hamstring strain, quad issue and the current problem of cramps.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2026
Noun
After two riveting semifinals, in which Alcaraz managed cramps and a rising Alexander Zverev to win in five sets, before Djokovic stunned Jannik Sinner with a crashing baseline performance, fate has delivered a simple equation.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Symptoms often include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps and vomiting, typically appearing within six hours to six days after exposure, according to the CDC.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
In Australia, Carlos Alcaraz overcame cramps and injury to fend off Alexander Zverev in an epic, momentum-swinging five-setter Friday to become the youngest man in the Open era to reach the finals of all four Grand Slam events.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
Defensive end Kobie Turner (cramps) also exited in the third.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner was saved by extreme heat rules in the third set of his match while limping and desperately trying to stretch out cramps in his arms and legs.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Protein plays many vital roles in keeping your body healthy, but eating too much at once can cause uncomfortable side effects such as constipation and stomach cramps.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2026
Priscilla Hon secured her first trip to the second round of her home major in six years and also helped her opponent Marina Stakusic leave the court in a wheelchair after the Canadian qualifier collapsed with severe leg cramps.
—John Pye, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2026
Those include a hamstring strain, quad issue and the current problem of cramps.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramps
Verb
-
Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, which hinders his ability to communicate.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This superficial politeness hinders effective decision-making, erodes accountability, and leaves teams ill-equipped for pressure.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Read the Story US airlines are still paring back flights as a deep freeze hampers the restart of operations at some major hubs.—
Jordan Erb,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Thus, the inability to read complex material impedes social as well as intellectual growth.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
-
However, if leaving the door open impedes foot traffic or may allow a child or animal to become trapped inside the drum, even a few inches are helpful.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Maia and her boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hustcherson) are on the outs after Maia completely embarrasses herself at Dylan’s game night with his co-workers.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
21 Dec. 2025
-
There, the father of the bride gets too drunk and embarrasses himself.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Rams 23, 49ers 20 Lock of the Week Much was made this week about the Bills failing to acquire a wide receiver at the trade deadline and whether that handicaps their Super Bowl chances.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Open the oven door and remove anything that obstructs your path, like the oven racks and drawer.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Defenses applied the same concepts, too, emphasizing full-court pressure, which delays the opposing attack.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The order specifically delays a 30% duty on upholstered furniture and 50% levy on kitchen cabinets and vanities, keeping in place a 25% tariff on those goods that was imposed back in September.—
Sean Conlon,Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cramps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramps. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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