as in stitch
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle
I was suddenly awakened by a cramp in my leg
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in obstacle
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 to impede
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 cramp
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
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
The result is a bedroom that feels calm and uncluttered — not cramped.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cramp
Noun
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
Verb
At the time, many people who had previously toiled in the fields shifted to working long shifts in cramped, and often dangerous manufacturing and textile facilities while increasingly resenting the industrialists who owned the factories.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
The result is a bedroom that feels calm and uncluttered — not cramped.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cramp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramp
Verb
-
Most glaring, the shrunken frame meant the steering wheel was impeding Fever’s ability to use the brake pedal.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Martinez had been accused of using her car to assault and impede federal law enforcement before the charges were dismissed in November.—
Selina Guevara,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Store them in one layer to avoid crushing, and keep them in cool, dry conditions in the fridge to hinder mold growth.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 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,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The intensity of the flames and the resulting smoke, compounded by the fact that the fire spread over the area mostly after dark, hampered the aerial firefighting strategy.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That this series has flipped on its head seemed almost impossible last Sunday, when the Celtics embarrassed Philadelphia in a Game 4 win on the Sixers’ home floor.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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The Mets were embarrassed by the Washington Nationals in an 14-2 blowout to even up the series at one game apiece.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Maden and Algerio charged Brown with resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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The Justice Department charged Comey with making false statements and obstructing justice in connection with his testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2020.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Deputy Solicitor General Eric Feigin said blocking such searches would handicap police searching for murderers, kidnappers and robbers.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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The previous mission, launched in 2023, was envisioned to include 2,500 personnel and was led by the Kenyan police, but it was handicapped by a lack of staff and funds.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cramp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramp. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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