1
as in confined
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2
as in constricted
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as in hampered
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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Recent Examples of cramped
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2026
Potterheads across the globe will instantly recognize Harry’s not-so-homely house on Privet Drive, his cramped excuse of a bedroom and the endless disdain oozing from the young wizard’s unloving aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley.
—Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Poor Space Planning Awkward door swings, insufficient clearance, poor storage options, or improper placement of vanities and toilets make any bathroom feel cramped and inconvenient.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 9 Mar. 2026
Cue the aforementioned wedding, lavish but hastily put together, and a sudden, drastic change in lifestyle, as she and Junyang are forced to live under the same roof as Boon Kiat and Bee Hwa, a cramped and fractious arrangement even before the baby’s arrival.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
Avoid large pieces that clutter the space and block pathways to other rooms or the front door, as these can make the room feel cramped and less inviting.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
Animals were found in cramped cages amid feces, piles of trash trash and the remains of other animals.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2026
Lopatin and Safdie spent around four months in the summer and fall of 2025 working on the score in a cramped midtown studio.
—Jack Denton, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
As a New Yorker herself, Bellizzi treasured envisioning the cramped Lower East Side milieu that opens the film.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Graham Averill, Outside, 20 Mar. 2026
The urgency element, combined with thin profit margins, long hours and generally hot, cramped working environments with fire and knives can create dangerous situations.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Families might feel cramped, but hey, Junior can always sleep on the comfortable couch.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
Same story with a lot of our old tech that felt too slow, too cramped, or just plain dull.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
For travelers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, cramped gate-side lounges could soon be a thing of the past.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
If your kitchen is too cramped for cookbooks, get creative.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
The trade cramped their spacing and closed up driving lanes for Edwards.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Jesus, everything was going fine, and then my right typing hand just cramped up and… OOOOOOOUUUUCCCHHHHHH!
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The defendants’ family members jockeyed for spots in the cramped space.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2026
Potterheads across the globe will instantly recognize Harry’s not-so-homely house on Privet Drive, his cramped excuse of a bedroom and the endless disdain oozing from the young wizard’s unloving aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley.
—Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Poor Space Planning Awkward door swings, insufficient clearance, poor storage options, or improper placement of vanities and toilets make any bathroom feel cramped and inconvenient.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 9 Mar. 2026
Cue the aforementioned wedding, lavish but hastily put together, and a sudden, drastic change in lifestyle, as she and Junyang are forced to live under the same roof as Boon Kiat and Bee Hwa, a cramped and fractious arrangement even before the baby’s arrival.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
Avoid large pieces that clutter the space and block pathways to other rooms or the front door, as these can make the room feel cramped and less inviting.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
Animals were found in cramped cages amid feces, piles of trash trash and the remains of other animals.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2026
Lopatin and Safdie spent around four months in the summer and fall of 2025 working on the score in a cramped midtown studio.
—Jack Denton, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
As a New Yorker herself, Bellizzi treasured envisioning the cramped Lower East Side milieu that opens the film.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
Sleeping in the back of the truck also meant sacrificing storage space, and things got especially cramped when my wife joined me.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 20 Mar. 2026
The urgency element, combined with thin profit margins, long hours and generally hot, cramped working environments with fire and knives can create dangerous situations.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Families might feel cramped, but hey, Junior can always sleep on the comfortable couch.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
Same story with a lot of our old tech that felt too slow, too cramped, or just plain dull.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
For travelers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, cramped gate-side lounges could soon be a thing of the past.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
If your kitchen is too cramped for cookbooks, get creative.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
The trade cramped their spacing and closed up driving lanes for Edwards.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Jesus, everything was going fine, and then my right typing hand just cramped up and… OOOOOOOUUUUCCCHHHHHH!
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramped
Adjective
-
Diners are there to enjoy a nice, relaxing meal, but some dogs, especially very large dogs or multiple dogs, can be a handful in small, confined spaces.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
-
And some experts worry that as measles continues to appear in confined environments—such as, recently, an ICE facility in Texas—adequate infection-prevention measures will too frequently fall short.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His ability to hold runners has hampered him.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Jospin never embraced his role as a public figure, hampered by a restrained personality that grew even stiffer in front of cameras.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Supplemental Security Income is a program administered by the Social Security Administration providing benefits for those with limited or no income or resources, those aged 65 or older, and those who are blind or have a qualifying disability.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
You're also given a 5-year limited warranty that covers you in case something happens to it.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Industry leaders also say the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route now being impeded by the war, must reopen by mid-April or supply disruptions could worsen significantly.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Patriarchate said that the decision impeded freedom of worship and the status quo in Jerusalem.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Again this year, visitors are contending with a somewhat restricted blossom appreciation area at the Tidal Basin, home to the highest concentration of the trees.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Actions such as hostilities toward staff or other residents, bringing items to meetings that can be used as weapons, or showing unusual interest in restricted areas should also raise red flags.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Noem's contract review policy disproportionately hindered FEMA, which awards massive contracts and funds disaster aid projects that frequently exceed $100,000.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
-
However, a budget managed by Congress with limited long-term visibility, coupled with a slow contracting process hindered by bureaucracy, creates some roadblocks.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Plus Yosh Nijman, Ekwonu’s backup and the Panthers’ swing tackle, suddenly retired earlier this month — flinging the Panthers’ offensive line plan into even narrower straits.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
As deductions narrow and dependents age out, Roth withdrawals become one of the cleanest sources of tax-free income available for the 62-to-70 age group.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Former head coach Brian Daboll’s charge to the medical tent and behavior towards one of the Giants’ doctors also embarrassed the team.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Tonight’s ceremony had none of the major dramatic mishaps that have both embarrassed the Academy Awards’ organizers and affirmed the event’s status as must-see live TV.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cramped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramped. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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