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
Kirstyn Hill, Health, 31 Mar. 2026
In a fanciful technicolor town full of dueling beauty shops, drag queens and midcentury flair, a young woman’s quest to defy her family is upended when her menstrual cramps manifest themselves as actual monsters.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Tariq Malik, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Hahn writes that the Tidal Basin is cramped, overly popular with tourists and others who come to take photos, and sometimes flooded.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cramp
Noun
Most side effects reported with magnesium are gastrointestinal (GI), including nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 31 Mar. 2026
In a fanciful technicolor town full of dueling beauty shops, drag queens and midcentury flair, a young woman’s quest to defy her family is upended when her menstrual cramps manifest themselves as actual monsters.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
While the Orion spacecraft is larger than NASA's Apollo capsules, it's still cramped — the interior has been compared to that of two SUVs.
—Tariq Malik, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Hahn writes that the Tidal Basin is cramped, overly popular with tourists and others who come to take photos, and sometimes flooded.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cramp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramp
Verb
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The 23-year-old was also sentenced to an additional year in prison for assaulting, resisting and impeding federal officers.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2026
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Miguel Angel Garcia Martinez faced more than 20 years in prison because of a felony assault, resist and impede case before it was dropped last month.—
Ryan Oehrli
April 16,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Crowfoot said the state’s ongoing efforts are also helping to restore vital tidal habitats and remove barriers that hinder fish migration.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
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The tension between baseball ops and Bob Melvin and Shildt’s disdain for input and feedback hindered this communication process the past four seasons.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The investigation into the crash was initially hampered by a lack of witnesses or surveillance footage, Miramar Police said at the time.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
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Cooper said the politics hampered her work.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The transparency issue also became important after the board embarrassed itself by quietly boosting board members’ pay by 25% — with Foley being the only member opposed.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
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Watching a prodigy embarrass the world over 72 holes was riveting; equally captivating is following the same person be exposed by life, hubris and ego.—
Mac Engel
April 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Upon opening the patient's abdomen, a megacolon allegedly burst, obstructing visibility, the emergency application said.—
Cara Tabachnick,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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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,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The conflict has led to big swings in equities, bonds, currencies and commodities markets, with traders trying to handicap how long the war will last.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
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But Khan had sold outdated blueprints, and the agency believed that this had handicapped the Iranians, who had never engineered the necessary centrifuges.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cramp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramp. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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