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
George Caulkin, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
Colorectal Cancer Symptoms The common symptoms are changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation, bright red rectal bleeding, dark blood in stool, cramps, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Alice Callahan, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
If the thought of being cramped in a tight space triggers your flight phobia, book an aisle seat in advance.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cramp 
Noun
Sven Botman’s surprise return after nearly 10 months out with an ACL knee injury brought an early concession when Dominic Solanke wriggled around him, but in the circumstances, the Dutchman was excellent, playing on until cramp gripped him in the final minutes.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
Colorectal Cancer Symptoms The common symptoms are changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation, bright red rectal bleeding, dark blood in stool, cramps, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the wall of the colon become inflamed, causing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, cramping or fever.
—Alice Callahan, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
If the thought of being cramped in a tight space triggers your flight phobia, book an aisle seat in advance.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cramp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramp
Verb
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Along with carrying out mass deportations, his second administration has vowed to prosecute anyone who impedes their immigration enforcement operations.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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The practice is now impeded by ever more protective drone squadrons of P.R. people, although Prince Andrew’s ruinous television interview is a prime example—the disingenuous reporter meets the insufficiently self-aware subject, and blood is spilled.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Driving the news: The freezing of State Department funds is hindering local groups from helping refugees who arrived shortly before the executive order, says Adam Clark, the executive director of World Relief Durham.—
Zachery Eanes,
Axios,
10 Feb. 2025
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Beauty struck a rare sour note during its quarterly report, cutting its full-year guidance in light of a January that the retailer says was hindered by the LA wildfires and fewer makeup tutorials on TikTok.—
Sara Salinas,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Getting the longest of those delays can hamper any chance of beating Tyson in the first round.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
9 Feb. 2025
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Experts in workplace safety have warned that could inhibit them from speaking up about health threats on the job, hampering efforts to stop hazards and illnesses.—
Emily Alpert Reyes,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The publication of The American Black Chamber on June 1, 1931, as well as three preceding articles in the Saturday Evening Post, embarrassed the Japanese.—
Peter Zablocki,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Feb. 2025
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The 2013 incident embarrassed New Orleans, which wanted to show off how well the city had bounced back by hosting the big game for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Johnson faced charges of violating her oath of office, a felony, and a misdemeanor count of obstructing police when her trial opened last week.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2025
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Musk’s incursions into other agencies have reportedly risked exposing sensitive information to unqualified personnel, and obstructing people’s access to lifesaving medicine.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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His extensive injuries handicapped him and robbed him of his quality of life.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2025
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While my colleague, pop music critic Mikael Wood, has handicapped his favorites and underdogs for the 67th edition of the awards show, perhaps his more ambitious project was to rank all 66 songs that previously won record the year.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near cramp
Cite this Entry
“Cramp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramp. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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