1
as in confined
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2
as in constricted
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Dissimilar Words
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
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
The outdated wood cabinets make this dysfunctional kitchen shape feel even more cramped and cluttered.
—Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 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
There is a wry, sardonic Reinerian sensibility to be found in all of his best work, even in the cramped and frightening confines of Misery (1990).
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 Dec. 2025
Skeptical journalists, excitable influencers, and industry insiders alike all climbed aboard an open-top bus for a sightseeing tour of London that culminated at a cramped and stifling-hot theater.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2025
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Rearranging a room or taking a quiet walk together could also help break up an atmosphere cramped with heavy feelings.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
The image that usually beckons of a vintage store is one that is fusty, cramped and dimly lit, filled with garments organized without design or backstory.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
In it, a man explained that if your kitchen feels cramped (check) and the layout of your kitchen is off somehow (check check), then your fridge might be opening on the wrong side—bingo!
—Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Jones, who cramped at the end of the key and missed key minutes down the stretch, finished with a career-high 21 points.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Go Big With Rugs If a room feels cramped or a little disjointed, the problem is often the rug.
—Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026
Her hand and arm cramped, her shoulder ached, and her knee throbbed, all while the rain soaked through their clothes.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Having actual professional equipment in a space that doesn’t feel cramped made such a difference.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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
The outdated wood cabinets make this dysfunctional kitchen shape feel even more cramped and cluttered.
—Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 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
There is a wry, sardonic Reinerian sensibility to be found in all of his best work, even in the cramped and frightening confines of Misery (1990).
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 Dec. 2025
Skeptical journalists, excitable influencers, and industry insiders alike all climbed aboard an open-top bus for a sightseeing tour of London that culminated at a cramped and stifling-hot theater.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2025
Verb
The board’s powers were cramped some in 1946, when an appeals process was added to the law.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Rearranging a room or taking a quiet walk together could also help break up an atmosphere cramped with heavy feelings.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
The image that usually beckons of a vintage store is one that is fusty, cramped and dimly lit, filled with garments organized without design or backstory.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
In it, a man explained that if your kitchen feels cramped (check) and the layout of your kitchen is off somehow (check check), then your fridge might be opening on the wrong side—bingo!
—Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Jones, who cramped at the end of the key and missed key minutes down the stretch, finished with a career-high 21 points.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Go Big With Rugs If a room feels cramped or a little disjointed, the problem is often the rug.
—Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026
Her hand and arm cramped, her shoulder ached, and her knee throbbed, all while the rain soaked through their clothes.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Having actual professional equipment in a space that doesn’t feel cramped made such a difference.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramped
Adjective
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The new tubes solve that problem with an internal divider at the middle of the tube that helps trap the air in a confined chamber.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
3 Feb. 2026
-
New York State now has six months to develop a plan to comply with a recent class action settlement addressing the lack of adequate mental health services for confined youth.—
Gladys Carrión,
New York Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Democratic lawmakers condemn Maxwell’s plea Democrats in the House Oversight Committee denounced Maxwell’s request for a presidential pardon and suggested that Trump’s refusal to rule out such a possibility has hampered the committee’s inquiry.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
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As has been the case many a time during the season, giveaways hampered Golden State for much of the night.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Compared to traditional date-night cuisine, Hart’s limited menu leans into pungent ingredients like anchovies, garlic and blue cheese.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Collaborations with emerging fashion designers to co-create Nothing products and limited clothing lines are on the agenda as well.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
It’s helped by the mascot at a certain point, rather than impeded.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The ministry posted a statement in Spanish on X saying Consulate officials immediately impeded the agents from entering the consulate’s premises, protecting Ecuadorian nationals who were inside the building.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Time-restricted eating has recently surged in popularity due to its potential to improve heart health and aid in weight loss, the researchers noted.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The company referenced the Norris-LaGuardia Act of 1932, a federal Congressional law that heavily restricted courts’ jurisdiction to issue injunctions in cases involving a labor dispute.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But online, this particular bombshell—that ANTM hindered rather than helped burgeoning supermodels—proves especially surprising to viewers.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
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These wafers offer fewer recombination sites, which can significantly enhance electrical performance, but their practical use has been hindered by fragility.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Such a narrow margin means only a handful of disgruntled GOP members are needed to deal a defeat to their party leadership.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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On that day, the moon will completely cover the sun for several minutes along a narrow path of totality that sweeps across Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The case has deeply embarrassed the royal family, especially his mother, who suffers from an incurable lung illness and who is torn between her role as mother and future queen.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Their votes sunk Belichick’s chances and embarrassed the Hall of Fame in the process.—
Rob Maaddi,
Twin Cities,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cramped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramped. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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