cramp 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈkramp How to pronounce cramp (audio)
Definition of crampnext
as in stitch
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle I was suddenly awakened by a cramp in my leg

Synonyms & Similar Words

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cramp

2 of 3

noun (2)

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

cramp

3 of 3

verb

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cramp
Noun
The bacteria can lead to illness with symptoms including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, the release said. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026 Other warning signs include headache, nausea and muscle cramps, along with a fast pulse or feeling faint. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Verb
Yes, Peterson, who missed 11 games his one season at KU because of cramping issues, is slated to play for Utah in the Salt Lake City Summer League (July 4-7) and Las Vegas Summer League (July 9-19). — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026 Cabrera was sidelined earlier this season with a blister and then left his last start early with cramping in his right hand. — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cramp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramp
  1. stitch
  2. obstacle
  3. impede
  4. contraction
  5. hurdle
  6. hinder
  7. spasm
  8. embarrassment
Noun
  • The alternatives to a stitch-up, of course, entail a lack of control, and perhaps even chaos.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
  • An embossed pattern creates subtle dimension without making the bed look too busy, while the stitch-free design keeps the fabric feeling smooth and lightweight.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of stitch
Noun
  • Permitting — more than access to capital — is the main obstacle to building out the global energy system, the heads of the natural resources group at JP Morgan’s investment bank write today.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 9 July 2026
  • Finding locations with sufficient grid capacity has become a primary obstacle for technology companies building new facility hubs.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
Definition of obstacle
Verb
  • Health care workers who impede these rituals for infection-control reasons often face hostility and violence; clinics have been attacked and burned down during this outbreak, furthering viral spread.
    — Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026
  • These vehicles were blocking and impeding fire operations, and several were non-operational and required tow truck assistance for removal.
    — Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of impede
Noun
  • Director-level and above roles continued to show relative strength, growing faster than the broader market, while junior and mid-level hiring recovered only after prior contraction.
    — Michael Wright, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The National Bureau of Economic Research dates the contraction that began in 1929 as ending in March 1933, though the broader Depression lasted for years and the economy suffered another severe recession in 1937-38 before World War II.
    — Dan Mangan,Luke Fountain,Kevin Breuninger,Garrett Downs,Ashley Capoot,Justin Papp, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Definition of contraction
Noun
  • To directly address these technical, safety, and regulatory hurdles, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the international energy technology firm Eni have established a new commercial engineering services company named RH3OVA.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
  • There are still some hurdles to get Trout to the game this year.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 5 July 2026
Definition of hurdle
Verb
  • Such realism, buttressed by frank discussions of perimenopause and other facts of midlife, helps rather than hinders the show’s ability to transport.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 July 2026
  • This offseason, Cullen revealed that Karlaftis broke his hand, which required surgery during the Week 10 bye and hindered him for the rest of the season.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Definition of hinder
Noun
  • Adames departed Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves due to back spasms after striking out to end the seventh inning, noticeably grimacing during the follow-through of his swing.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
  • Max Muncy popped out and Kyle Tucker, back in the lineup after exiting Monday’s game because of back spasms, flied out.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of spasm
Noun
  • Goalkeeper Matt Freese’s costly blunder in the 57th minute was an embarrassment that gifted the Belgians a third goal to all but seal the elimination loss.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • Either way, the development is a public embarrassment for Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek, whose antagonistic, foot-dragging attitude in negotiations with his young core finally cost him dearly.
    — Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of embarrassment

Phrases Containing cramp

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cramp
cramped
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Cite this Entry

“Cramp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramp. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cramp

Nglish: Translation of cramp for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cramp

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