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
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Avoid very sugary drinks and alcohol, which can cause your body to lose more fluid, and be wary of extra-cold drinks that may cause stomach cramps.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026
Shoppers rave that the square-toe bed is roomy and doesn’t cramp their feet.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cramp
Noun
The reality was a tumultuous year defined more by his cramps and seesaw availability than signature moments.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Avoid very sugary drinks and alcohol, which can cause your body to lose more fluid, and be wary of extra-cold drinks that may cause stomach cramps.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Besides, who knows when stud Darryn Peterson is going to cramp up and sit out or go for 30?
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026
Shoppers rave that the square-toe bed is roomy and doesn’t cramp their feet.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cramp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramp
Verb
-
The indictment includes the conspiracy count, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in federal prison, as well as several other counts of forcibly impeding a federal officer, each punishable by up to one year in federal prison.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Castle has become nearly impossible to impede.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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The proposal reflects broader concerns Republicans have about regulation and permitting hindering economic development, as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) explained during a speech at the Hill and Valley Forum on Wednesday.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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The moves have reportedly left the task force without prosecutors with national security experience, hampering its goal to root out American connections to the Hamas attacks (which included 40 Americans among its approximately 1,200 victims).—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And when that happens, Jamahl Mosley — a good coach and an even better man — will be the fall guy for a team that is embarrassing itself on a national scale and getting exposed in the league standings.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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The very existence of Tisch’s relationship and conversations with Epstein, which are not in dispute, should be enough to embarrass the NFL.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors said Insua’s view was obstructed by the cargo, a deckhouse and crane on the barge.—
David Goodhue,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
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Full-palm tactile sensing allows the robot to continue manipulating objects even when cameras are obstructed or when precise force control is required, such as in assembly tasks.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
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Because no one knows with clarity how things will proceed from here, handicapping the market becomes an exercise in watching for extreme conditions to develop that price in enough potential economic disruption to generate a cushion against further downside surprises.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cramp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramp. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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