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
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
And finally, having ample levels of magnesium can keep calcium from building up inside your muscles, which may ward off cramps and tension.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
What happened to Peterson’s cramps?
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
After ten minutes in the water, Coach is out there bobbing along on his back with cramps in both of his calves.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Symptoms include swelling, itching, or irritation of the mouth or throat; hives or an itchy rash; nasal congestion; headache; trouble breathing; cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 4 Mar. 2026
Key Takeaways Choose oral forms of magnesium, like pills, to raise your levels, especially if your goal is to correct a deficiency or improve sleep, muscle cramps, or overall magnesium status.
—Sara Hoffman, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2026
Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, vomiting and stomach cramps, among others.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 2 Mar. 2026
With cramps slowing down McDonald, John Brown IV stepped up by scoring and rebounding.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
It has historically also been used for migraines, fatigue and stomach cramps.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
And finally, having ample levels of magnesium can keep calcium from building up inside your muscles, which may ward off cramps and tension.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
What happened to Peterson’s cramps?
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
After ten minutes in the water, Coach is out there bobbing along on his back with cramps in both of his calves.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Symptoms include swelling, itching, or irritation of the mouth or throat; hives or an itchy rash; nasal congestion; headache; trouble breathing; cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 4 Mar. 2026
Key Takeaways Choose oral forms of magnesium, like pills, to raise your levels, especially if your goal is to correct a deficiency or improve sleep, muscle cramps, or overall magnesium status.
—Sara Hoffman, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2026
Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, vomiting and stomach cramps, among others.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 2 Mar. 2026
With cramps slowing down McDonald, John Brown IV stepped up by scoring and rebounding.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramps
Verb
-
Afterward, Denver7 heard from Douglas County residents, including a Parker woman who feels the move hinders productive conversations around local issues and is merely a way for the commissioners to dodge criticism and accountability.—
thedenverchannel.com,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, which hinders his ability to communicate.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
This gross oversight, which is largely due to a lack of financial backing, impedes reproductive health for everyone.—
Kenneth H. Mayer,
STAT,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Their team might need the firmer assessment that challenges pride and even embarrasses, then the next year's group might need a lighter touch.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
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
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
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
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,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Too much light in the evening — that extra hour from daylight saving time — delays that surge and the cycle gets out of sync.—
Lauran Neergaard,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Too much light in the evening — that extra hour from daylight saving time — delays that surge and the cycle gets out of sync.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cramps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramps. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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