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
Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
An intense paint color can also make an often small space, such as a bathroom, feel even more cramped and humid.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
The dynamic keeps the film from ever feeling too cramped or quiet, and the characters from ever being held at too far a remove.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
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
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
Jenna Thompson
april 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
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
The layout of these facilities is also cramped, complicating maintenance work.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
Communications are based on copper cabling and voice-grade phone lines, the HVAC systems leave the installations prone to damp, and the layouts are generally cramped, making repairs difficult.
—David Szondy
april 05, New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2026
The finalized millwork doesn’t completely reach the ceiling, which was an intentional design choice—leaving a white edge near the ceiling ensured the space wouldn’t feel too cramped.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 4 Apr. 2026
Four people living in two minivans for 685,000 miles over 10 days, the duration of the Artemis flight, may sound a bit cramped, even claustrophobic.
—George Petras, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Adjective
Thirty minutes before the start of the Gaston County Schools board meeting, attendees already spilled out of the boardroom and into the cramped hallway.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
An intense paint color can also make an often small space, such as a bathroom, feel even more cramped and humid.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
The dynamic keeps the film from ever feeling too cramped or quiet, and the characters from ever being held at too far a remove.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
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
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
Verb
The kitchen felt enormous while the dining room was cramped.
—Jenna Thompson
april 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
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
The layout of these facilities is also cramped, complicating maintenance work.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
Communications are based on copper cabling and voice-grade phone lines, the HVAC systems leave the installations prone to damp, and the layouts are generally cramped, making repairs difficult.
—David Szondy
april 05, New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2026
The finalized millwork doesn’t completely reach the ceiling, which was an intentional design choice—leaving a white edge near the ceiling ensured the space wouldn’t feel too cramped.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 4 Apr. 2026
Four people living in two minivans for 685,000 miles over 10 days, the duration of the Artemis flight, may sound a bit cramped, even claustrophobic.
—George Petras, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramped
Adjective
-
For instance, light particles like positrons (or electrons, in this experiment) need extremely fast oscillations, gigahertz (GHz) frequencies, to stay confined.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
There’s an iPad for everyone, but the platform as a whole has felt stuck for a long time, with fast and capable hardware hampered by software that doesn’t take full advantage of it.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
He’s since lost quickness and, because of his persistent injuries – he’s been hampered by hamstring issues over the last year and was questionable for Game 3 with calf tightness – never seems to have his full burst on the floor.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
China replied with a limited list of individual companies that were allowed to sell to China, but without explanation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
People may benefit from a structured, straightforward assessment process conducted by qualified professionals, offering faster access and easier navigation compared to traditional models with long waitlists and limited specialists.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This shall not be impeded by the cessation of hostilities.—
Yarden Segev,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Robert Brulle, a visiting professor at Brown University who studies fossil fuel lobbying, said ExxonMobil led efforts to discredit climate science that successfully impeded government intervention.—
Alex Kuffner,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The restricted activities would include running ornamental fountains, noncommercial pressure washing and car washing, among several others.—
Drew Kann,
AJC.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
However, a small set of rooms in the Palace wing is not accessible to those with restricted mobility.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Since October of last year, the agency has lost more than 1,500 agents, and these unfilled positions have severely hindered operational capacity at a critical moment.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Trout was also a major storyline, as the superstar, hindered by injuries for several years, totaled five dingers in the four-game set.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But our understanding of pedantry, denoting the sticklerishness of academic specialists and grammar obsessives, is a relatively narrow one.—
Clare Bucknell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Of course, the narrow bench-style seat will also help shorter riders flat-foot the motorcycle perfectly.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
And, as if embarrassed by the whole business, the show will do something crazy to blast the tear from your eye.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cramped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramped. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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